The constant transfer of officials of the Civil Supplies Department has left Consumer Redressal Forums in the state in limbo. After the new minister assumed charge, about six transfers of higher officials were effected in the Civil Supplies Department under which the mandate of consumer protection comes. This has in turn affected the activities of consumer redressal forums.
According to sources, during the first one-and-a-half year tenure of the current government, two transfers were effected to the post of the Director of the Civil Supplies Department, three transfers to the Civil Supplies Commissioner’s post and two to the Food Secretary’s post.
“Sumana was replaced by Raju Narayana Swami who was again replaced by Shyam Jagannathan as the Civil Supplies Commissioner. M S Jaya was replaced by Shyam Jagannathan, and then he was promoted as the Commissioner and A T James took charge as the Director of the Civil Supplies Department. Anil Xavier was replaced by Suman Billa as the Secretary of the Civil Supplies Department”, they said.
They added that to constitute Consumer Protection Councils in the state and to fill up the vacancies in the district consumer dispute redressal forums, a stable department is a prerequisite.
There are many districts in the state that do not have enough members to constitute a forum to deal with pending cases.
“The board that interviews and appoints members to these forums includes the Chairman of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Law secretary and Food and Civil Supplies Secretary. Unfortunately, the board cannot be constituted due to the continuous transfer of the food and civil supplies secretary and the various inconveniences of the other two officials,” they said.
Sources pointed out that the number of cases pending in consumer redressal forums are increasing, as an incomplete forum cannot pass verdicts. Besides, Consumer Protection Councils are yet to be formed in the state. It is the government which has to take measures to constitute the councils in the state. However, it has been three years since the State Consumer Protection Council has been formed.
With recurring transfers, the officials are not able to take any substantial measures.
Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Anoop Jacob refuted the charges. “The board was not constituted, as the chairman of the State Commission had some conveniences. In regard to the formation of the state consumer protection councils, the government has initiated every steps in this direction,” he said.