PORVORIM, JULY 11
The Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (North-Goa) at Porvorim attends to grievances of consumers, but this time the anger was directed at the forum itself.
Consumers who visited the office of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum (North-Goa) at Porvorim on Friday to attend their cases were furious as none of the Consumer Forum Members were present to hear their cases till 11 am.
According to reports, 13 cases were fixed for hearing on Friday. One of the Consumer Forum Members was on leave, while another member reached the office at about 11 am and attended all the cases.
Consumers who were at the office before 10 am got agitated and began hurling queries at the lady clerk on duty. The Assistant Registrar was not present in the office as she had gone out to attend a training session.
The North Goa Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has been without a President for the last three months and the two other forum members attend to the cases.
In case one member goes on leave and the other member fails to reach the office by 10 am, the Assistant Registrar or the clerk on duty bear the brunt of agitated consumers.
“If a consumer fails to attend the court on time, the Consumers Forum decides on the cases ex-parte, but when the Forum members don’t report o duty on time, government authorities do not take any action against them,” complained an angry consumer from Mapusa.
“I had come all the way from Mapusa at 9.30 am and wanted to return early as I had some important work in the Mamlatdar office at Mapusa. Since the member of the Consumer Forum arrived late, it will not be possible for me to go to Mapusa and Saturday being holiday, I will have to wait till Monday to get my work done in Mamlatdar office.”
“Nobody is bothered about the difficulties of the common man. The government should take steps immediately to fill the post of the Forum President for the smooth functioning of the Consumer Forum or else, the Forum should be closed down,” said the consumer.