State of U.P. through Principal Secretary v. All U.P. Consumer Protection Bar Association
Background
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. The case is a long-running matter in which the Court monitors the dilapidated infrastructure, staffing and administrative control of consumer fora across India. A Court-appointed Committee, headed by a former Supreme Court judge, had submitted an interim report.
Decision Breakdown
This is an interim order, not a final judgment. By its order of 21 November 2016 the Court issued interim administrative directions, including clarifying administrative control under Section 24B, directing the Union Government to frame model rules within four months, and directing specific states to fill vacancies. It also granted two of the Committee's immediate requests. The proceedings were to come up again on 7 March 2017 for further directions and for reporting compliance.
Lesson Learnt
There is no final ruling yet in this matter. The Court continues to supervise reform of consumer forum infrastructure, with compliance to be reviewed at the next hearing.