Ladakh lacks consumer forum

Yangchan Dolma

Tribune News Service

Leh, June 25

Despite Supreme Court directions that every district in the country should establish a District Consumer Forum, the twin districts of Leh and Kargil in the Ladakh region are devoid of the redressal agency.

To file a complaint of consumer rights violation or to get redress of grievances, the consumers of Ladakh have to travel more than 400 km to its divisional headquarters --- Srinagar.

Long distance followed by a huge amount incurred on travel and stay in Srinagar and the expected compensation are discouraging the consumers of Ladakh to file complaint against rights violation.

Executive Councillor, Consumers and Public Distribution Affairs, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Shafi Lassu, said: “Many people come to my office with the complaint that traders are charging high prices, supplying faulty automobile spares or have been harassed by airlines during travel. I suggest to them to go to Srinagar for redress of their grievances. However, they go back home disappointed, saying that going to Srinagar is another form of consumer rights violation.”

President of the District Bar Association Gonbo Stobgal said: “The state government formally notified to set up a District Consumer Forum each at Leh and Kargil two years ago and the District Session Judge was appointed as the president of the forum. But the state government has delayed the appointment of the three members of the forum.”

Stobgal added that the selection committee had recommended the panels of members twice to the state Law Department and the High Court in the past years.

He also said that under the Consumer Protection Act, the president of the forum could not pass a judgment in the absence of other members. In such a situation, people of the region continue to suffer, he added.