Over 50,000 housing cases remain in consumer courts: Government data

Government data reveals that more than 50,000 real estate-related cases are currently pending in consumer courts. In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs B.L. Verma provided details on these cases. According to the data, a total of 2,44,813 cases have been filed in consumer courts across national, state, and district levels. Of these, 1,94,555 cases have been resolved, leaving 50,258 cases still pending as of July 31, 2024. "The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 establishes a three-tier quasi-judicial system at district, state, and central levels, known as 'Consumer Commissions,' to safeguard consumer rights and provide prompt redressal of disputes," Verma explained. The Act aims to streamline the adjudication process, including the filing of complaints, virtual hearings, and the deemed admissibility of complaints if not decided within 21 days of filing. Section 38(7) of the Act mandates that complaints be resolved as quickly as possible?within three months if no analysis or testing of commodities is required, and within five months if it is. Verma also noted that the e-Daakhil portal, available in 35 states and UTs, allows consumers to register complaints online with various consumer commissions across India. (ET)

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