(a) the number and the details of consumer courts functioning in the country as on date, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government has reviewed the working of these courts;
(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof along with the number of cases filed and pending in these courts during each of the last three years, year and State/UT-wise; and
(d) the action taken by the Government for early disposal of pending cases?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAOSAHEB PATIL DANVE)
(a): There are 35 State Commissions and 620 District Fora functioning in various States/UTs in the country. The details are at Annexure.
(b) to (d) : The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) which is the apex body headed by a Retired Supreme Court Judge reviews the working of these fora periodically. The following measures are being taken to clear pendency of cases of consumer fora.
(1) The State Governments have been requested from time to time to take action well in advance for filling up of vacancies of President and Members and to maintain a panel of candidates for filling up of future vacancies also to avoid delay in appointments.
(2) Circuit Benches from National Commission have been frequently visiting States.
(3) Some State Commission have constituted Additional Benches mainly to dispose off backlog of pending cases.
(4) The National Commission and some of the State Commissions as well as District Fora are adopting the process of holding Lok Adalats for speedy disposal of the cases.
(5) Financial assistance is provided by the Central Government to the States/UTs for strengthening of infrastructure of Consumer Fora including computerization and networking.