Telangana forum has no head for over a year

Hyderabad: With no one heading the Telangana State Consumer Redressal Forum, the purpose of having consumer courts is being defeated, said an advocate who has filed a PIL on the issue.

Nearly 15 months since the formation of the new state, the state forum lacks a chairperson and petitioners are left with no option but to approach higher courts.

“The consumer courts are known for inexpensive proceedings. One can get justice by spending a couple of hundred rupees within 90 days. However, with no one at the helm, the complainants have to approach other courts which involve a lot of money,” said advocate Vishweshwar Rao who filed the PIL.

Complaints, where the monetary value of the service involved range between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 1 crore, are handled by the state commission.  Most cases related to real estate or insurance are being held up due to lack of a chairperson.

Officials said that most petitions for goods and services above Rs 20 lakh related to the real estate sector.

“Apart from many real estate cases which are pending, lack of a forum also hampers appeals,” said an official.

Rules say that if a consumer is not satisfied with the decision of a district forum, he can appeal to the state commission.

“If in a case, the court ordered the police to look into the issue, the respondent can’t even file an appeal. Neither can a stay be obtained on any order passed by a district forum,” the advocate added.