Consumer Forum Hyderabad
Consumer Forum operates at three distinct levels i.e. district, state and national level. The NCDRC €National Consumer Disputes and Redressal Commission' makes sure that the district and state fora works in close association to each. Consumer Forum Hyderabad operates at the district level and makes sure that the grievances are settled at a rapid rate and for a rightful compensation. The forum is entitled to make judgment on cases that pertain to a maximum of 20 Lakhs compensation. The court fee is something that any consumer can afford to pay. Against a filed compensation of Rs 100,000/- the court fee is only Rs 100/- and for a maximum compensation of Rs 20,00,000/- the court fee is just Rs 500/-. This is pretty much unlike to our perception of any court in India. We are born to understand that it takes €dates on dates' for the justice to evolve and in most cases the complainant has even expired before the order would come. But, the consumer courts do seem to give us an exception as the grievances are being settled on time and without much delay on the process.
In order to avail justice, the complainants have to produce a written complaint to the district forum. The NCDRC has also equipped the district forum with the online medium for purpose of registering complaints, promoting consumer rights, informing events and discussing judgments. Consumer Forum Hyderabad stands among one such IT-savvy department where the complaints can be lodged online. The court will issue a date of admission hearing where the sitting bench would decide about the merit of the case. Once qualified for hearing, the notice will be served to the opposite party calling for an explanation within 30 days of the issuance of the notice. The date of final hearing will see the judgment coming through and as liability on part of the manufacturer / producer to:
1. Make compensation for the losses incurred for the dysfunction of the product / deficient services
2. Make an early replacement of the defected product
3. Arrange for an early repair of the defection in the product or good
4. Make compensation for the legal costs and the agony caused
5. Arrange for a call-back of the defected stock already existing in the market
6. Make changes to the advertising or promotional message
What is the most conspicuous aspect of this judiciary procedure is the €convenience' that an aggrieved consumer experiences. The court fee is by-far minimal, the order is issued within 15 days of the final hearing and the documentation is limited to just a plain hand-written complaint. What more can a consumer ask in order to bring the erring producer or manufacturer to legal course. But still, the awareness among the population is very low. The people are still not aware about their right as a consumer and in most cases the grievances are un-reported. The establishment called Consumer Forum needs a more appealing introduction to the common man.
In order to avail justice, the complainants have to produce a written complaint to the district forum. The NCDRC has also equipped the district forum with the online medium for purpose of registering complaints, promoting consumer rights, informing events and discussing judgments. Consumer Forum Hyderabad stands among one such IT-savvy department where the complaints can be lodged online. The court will issue a date of admission hearing where the sitting bench would decide about the merit of the case. Once qualified for hearing, the notice will be served to the opposite party calling for an explanation within 30 days of the issuance of the notice. The date of final hearing will see the judgment coming through and as liability on part of the manufacturer / producer to:
1. Make compensation for the losses incurred for the dysfunction of the product / deficient services
2. Make an early replacement of the defected product
3. Arrange for an early repair of the defection in the product or good
4. Make compensation for the legal costs and the agony caused
5. Arrange for a call-back of the defected stock already existing in the market
6. Make changes to the advertising or promotional message
What is the most conspicuous aspect of this judiciary procedure is the €convenience' that an aggrieved consumer experiences. The court fee is by-far minimal, the order is issued within 15 days of the final hearing and the documentation is limited to just a plain hand-written complaint. What more can a consumer ask in order to bring the erring producer or manufacturer to legal course. But still, the awareness among the population is very low. The people are still not aware about their right as a consumer and in most cases the grievances are un-reported. The establishment called Consumer Forum needs a more appealing introduction to the common man.