Massive Vacancy Crisis Cripples Consumer Grievance Redressal in India

The effectiveness of India's consumer grievance redressal system is being undermined by significant vacancies and a backlog of over five lakh cases, according to the Consumer Justice Report. The report highlights a 21% increase in pendency from 2020 to 2024 and calls for urgent reforms.

An unprecedented report reveals that India's consumer grievance redressal system faces severe inefficiencies due to massive vacancies and a backlog surpassing five lakh cases. Released by the India Justice Report, it assesses state consumer disputes redressal commissions' functioning from 2021 to 2025.

The report indicates a sharp 21% rise in case pendency between 2020 and 2024, with more than half of president and member positions in state commissions vacant. This situation erodes consumer confidence, as highlighted by former Supreme Court judge Justice S K Kaul.

The report recommends time-bound appointments, improved staffing, efficient budget utilization, transparent data publication, and enhanced utilization of mediation to curb pendency and restore confidence in consumer grievance redressal.