Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao hailed the works of State and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions in providing justice to consumers in the state. He was addressing the one-day “Consumer Awareness Convention” at New Circuit House Raipur on Saturday. The event was organised by Chhattisgarh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (CGSCDRC). Bi-annual report of the GSCDRC was also released in the convention. Deputy Chief Minister Sao said that the CGSCDRC and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are doing a commendable job in providing justice to the consumers, protecting them from fraud and cheating and making them aware. Innovations are being implemented across the world. Complaints are being received through e-Jagriti portal. E-hearing will be started in District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions of the state. For it, all essential facilities are being arranged.

 

The Chhattisgarh government will extend its full support to the Commission for starting e-hearing of cases, he added. An extensive consumer awareness programme will be started across the state. People in tribal areas of the state will be made aware about their rights, said Sao. President of the CGSCDRC Gautam Chouradia said that Chhattisgarh would become the first state of the country as e-hearing would be started in 17 District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions of the state. E-hearing will be started in the district consumer forums in the state within three months. One additional bench will be constituted in District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Raipur in a bid to reduce pendency, he said. “When I joined as the President of the CGSCDRC in October, 2022; there were around 10,600 pending cases in the state.

 

At present, there are only 6,500 pending cases in the state,” said the President. Additional Chief Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department Richa Sharma and Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department Anbalgan P also spoke. Member of the Raipur District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Nirupama Pradhan conducted the proceedings. Account of Commission Madhulika Yadav proposed the vote of thanks. Pramukh Lokayukta of Chhattisgarh Lok Ayog Justice Inder Singh Uboweja, Principal District and Sessions Judge Raipur Balram Prasad Verma, Joint Registrar of the Commission Mona Chauhan, President of District Bar Association Raipur Hitendra Tiwari, judicial officials, lawyers and law students were present.