Real estate cases register a drop in Chandigarh

Consumer cases in Chandigarh, which had registered an increase every year, have seen a sharp slide this year. The drop is across all the sectors and in all the three forums — state commission, district forum-I (DF-I) and district forum II (DF-II). Top sectors with maximum cases continue to be real estate, insurance and banking. In the state commission, most cases are related to real estate, just like last year. The drop in the real estate cases in consumer courts has been attributed to the setting up of the Real Estate Regulator Authority. Justice Jasbir Singh, president, UT state commission too said that, “RERA has helped in lowering the number of cases, though there are still cases which we are receiving involving housing societies.” “Real estate builder developer and allottee cases are now going to RERA, which is a special and exclusive forum for such issues. Before RERA, all these cases formed a major part of the cause list of the consumer courts. This has led to a reduction in the number of complaints,” according to advocate Madhu P Singh, former president of Consumer Forum in Mohali. “Slow and tardy pace of the disposal of cases has also deterred consumers from approaching the forums,” Singh added. Cases linked to railways, postal department, medical, airlines, immigration, and electronic devices too witnessed an increase. The State Commission and district forum-II got highest number of medical negligence, airline and automobile cases— 16, 17 and 15 each, respectively. The two forums received 12 immigration complaints each and the commission received none. There were also many cases of tax being charged on MRP after discount and dual MRP this year. Advocates feel helplines are helping consumers. “Forums like consumer helpline and certain websites are doing a good job by solving complaints online. Overall, when implementation of law becomes stronger, default start reducing. Timely justice is proving deterrent and shooting the unfair trade practices,” said Ajay Jagga, a lawyer and member of Consumer Protection Council, Chandigarh. They also feel that consumer grievances have reduced as more people shop online. “The number of cases is dropping as purchasing online assures the consumer full refund and replacement of goods even if it is issue of colour or material. They feel their rights are protected,” says NK Jhingan, organizing secretary, Consumer Association, Chandigarh. In a new trend, besides drop in cases this year, properties were attached under execution of orders. The state commission attached properties in 12 cases this year. As a result of which the realtors started paying back money to the complainants. Delayed possession is stated to be the cause of complaints in all cases.