Chandigarh: Consumer Bar in HC seeking extension of tenure of panel members

The Chandigarh Consumer Bar has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking an extension of the tenure of two panel members of the district consumer disputes redressal commission.

Pawanjit Singh, the president of commission‑I, is scheduled to see his tenure expire on July 5, while Preetinder Singh, a non‑judicial member of the state consumer disputes redressal commission,’s term ends on September 6.

The consumer disputes redressal commission in Chandigarh handles complaints filed by consumers against grievances related to goods and services. Its panel members play a crucial role in adjudicating cases, and their continued presence is intended to ensure procedural continuity.

The plea filed with the High Court requests that the tenure of both officials be extended beyond their current expiry dates. The petition underscores the importance of maintaining an uninterrupted commission workflow, particularly as pending consumer cases could be affected by sudden vacancies.

Legal provisions under the relevant statutes allow for the extension of such tenures, subject to the court’s satisfaction that the extension serves the interest of justice and the efficient administration of consumer redressal.

The High Court is expected to examine the petition and decide whether to grant the extension. No immediate orders have been reported, and the matter remains pending.

The outcome will determine if the commission can retain its current panel composition for the foreseeable future, thereby safeguarding the continuity of consumer dispute resolution in the region.

Source: Hindustan Times