Jorhat Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum functioning without President

A Correspondent

JORHAT: The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, Jorhat, which is one among the eight independent courts in Assam, is running without its president since May 30, 2018. This has made disposal of consumer cases an uphill task. Hence the Jorhat Bar Association has threatened to launch agitation programme soon.

A total of 52 cases were disposed off in 2018 and cases against insurance companies were highest during 2017-18, said a senior advocate of the Bar Association on Wednesday. Sources said TPA (Third Party Agent) cases for medical claims were highest in the Consumer Dispute Court. Moreover, accident claims and cases are also filed in large numbers for which the court needs a regular president. The president should be a retired district sessions judge with minimum experience of 10 years and not above 65 years of age.

To get a retired judge is difficult and hence the Parliament, with specific information and input from the Ministry of Food and Civil Supply, Government of Assam, under whose initiative the courts are being run, should try to pass a new Act, said Rintu Borbora, a senior advocate and social activist.

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