Strenghthen alternative consumer dispute redressal

Inaugurating the North Eastern Regional Consumer Convention organised here by Consumer Coordination Council, Delhi, Justice Potsangbam emphasised on alternate mechanism for speedy settlement of the cases and thereby reducing the burden on the courts.

There were 865 consumer related cases pending before courts in Assam, 78 in Meghalaya, 43 in Manipur, 39 in Tripura, 30 in Nagaland, 12 in Mizoram and five in Arunachal Pradesh.

Cases on medical negligence and insurance were the highest in Assam in the consumer courts, he said.

Consumer rights awarness was low in the North East compared to other parts of the country making them easily vulnerable to deception, he said and expressed concern over the mushrooming of fake educational institutions in the region.

He also rued the absence of chairman in the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions in Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.