CHANDIGARH, Sept 17: A new complex for the UT Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and two consumer forums is coming up on Madhya Marg, in Sector 19 here.Construction work has begun and the complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore approximately. It will be located on a plot adjacent to the Forest Department. Presently, the courts are housed in a building on the Bridge Road.The Administration has also taken the lead in increasing the honorarium to be paid to the members of the consumer courts. The consolidated monthly honorarium for members of the commission and the forum has been fixed at Rs 10,000 and Rs 9,000 respectively.Meanwhile, the Administration has expressed concern that the consumer courts are not adhering to full working hours and they observe holidays on the pattern of Punjab and Haryana High Court.It is learnt that since these courts are associated with the UT Food and Supplies Department, they are also required to function as a government department from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Additionally, they are required to observe holidays listed by the UT Administration and not those of the High Court.The Administration has also expressed concern over the backlog of cases in the consumer courts which has been piling up on account of the limited working hours and holidays. The Administration has requested the courts that they should function according to the timings and clear complaints within the specified period of 90 days.There have been complaints from lawyers too that the consumer courts have not been observing the full timings. Hence, while these courts were set up by the government for the expeditious disposal of complaints, complainants have to put up with repeated hearings and delays before the case is finally decided.
