The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sought the Maharashtra government's response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking the establishment of a district consumer disputes redressal commission in the Palghar district.A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor issued notice in the matter and posted the case for hearing next in June.The Court observed that there appeared to be no justification as to why a district consumer forum was yet to be set up in Palghar despite the ten years having passed since the district was formed."As informed, the district was established in 2014 and 10 years have elapsed. However, there being a clear mandate under Section 28 of the Consumer Protection Act, the (district consumer protection) Commission has not been established. We do not see any reason why despite legislative mandate, the district commission has not been established. We require State to file affidavit in two weeks as to why the mandate under the Act has not been followed," the Court's order stated.The petitioner before the Court pointed out that Palghar district was formed on August 1, 2014.A room in a collectorate office had earlier been earmarked for setting up a consumer commission. However, the State government has not yet issued any communication to notify this space as a consumer redressal forum, the petitioner pointed out.The petitioner has, therefore, now sought the High Court's intervention in the matter.The case will be heard next on June 19.
TAGS: Bombay High Court Maharashtra government Palghar district consumer disputes redressal commission public interest litigation (PIL)
