Chandigarh: HC asks UT to allow extension of tenure of consumer panel members

The extensions are sought to keep them in office uninterruptedly until a regular selection and recruitment process is conducted and completed by the UT administration under the newly amended rules

The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has directed the Chandigarh administration to allow extension of tenure of consumer forum members in the city.

While the president’s term had come to an end on July 5, the latter’s tenure is slated to end on September 6. (HT File)

The HC acted on the plea from the tricity consumer bar association seeking extension of tenure of Pawanjit Singh, incumbent president of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I, and Preetinder Singh, member (non-judicial), State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

While the president’s term had come to an end on July 5, the latter’s tenure is slated to end on September 6.

The extensions are sought to keep them in office uninterruptedly until a regular selection and recruitment process is conducted and completed by the UT administration under the newly amended rules, in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court of India, petitioner’s lawyers Nitin Thatai had told the court. Thatai added that the Chandigarh administration has failed to finalise fresh recruitment and relieving the incumbents would bring the functioning of the forums to a grinding halt. “This would severely prejudice public interest and defeat the 90-day speedy-disposal mandate of the consumer protection Act, 2019,” the petition in HC said

In response to the court’s direction on July 4, UT’s counsel had told the court both the members have sought extension of their tenure in the light of directions from the apex court.

The state commission has two benches – principal bench and additional bench. Besides, there are two district panels. The hearing has been deferred for August 7.