By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 Sep: Despite clear provisions under the Consumer Protection Act for speedy disposal of the cases, a significant number of consumer disputes in Uttarakhand have remained pending for a decade or more, raising questions over the effectiveness of the mechanism meant to provide expeditious relief to the consumers.
According to information obtained under the Right to Information Act (RTI) from the Uttarakhand State Consumer Commission, 701 first appeals are currently pending before the State Commission. In addition, around 3,127 complaints are reported to be pending before the 13 district consumer commissions.
The data shows that 27 first appeals before the State Commission are pending for more than 10 years, while another 125 have been pending for 10 years. As many as 148 pending appeals are seven years old and 201 have remained pending for five years. Among the original complaints before the State Commission, nine are more than 10 years old and 22 have been pending for 10 years.
Across the 13 districts, 26 consumer cases are pending for more than 10 years, while 62 are pending for 10 years. The number of cases pending for seven years stands at present at 217, while 647 cases are five years old. Another 718 cases have been pending for three years and 675 for two years.
It may be pointed out here that the Consumer Protection Act provides for disposal of consumer complaints within three months, or five months where laboratory testing is required. However, the pendency figures indicate a significant gap between the statutory objective of speedy justice and the actual disposal of cases.
The RTI data also points to a decline in the number of consumers approaching the commissions in recent years. In 2016, 292 cases were filed before the State Commission and 1,462 before district forums/commissions. The corresponding figures in 2022 were 322 and 1,859. The numbers subsequently have fallen sharply, with only 116 cases filed before the State Commission and 970 before district commissions in 2023. In 2024, the figures fell further to 29 and 574 respectively. In 2025, 134 cases were filed before the State Commission and 776 before district commissions. During the first four months of 2026, 58 cases were filed before the State Commission and 311 before district commissions. This indicates the falling trust of the consumers with the consumer justice system.
Interestingly the insurance-related disputes account for the largest number of matters before the State Commission during the previous financial year, with 130 complaints and 2,261 appeals. Banking disputes follow with 27 complaints and 566 appeals, while electricity-related matters account for eight complaints and 391 first appeals. Medical negligence cases account for 41 complaints and 207 appeals, according to the information obtained under the RTI Act. The decline in fresh filings, despite a growing consumer base, really calls for more effective disposal of pending cases.
