SC Issues Notices To All States & UTs In Suo Moto Plea Pertaining To Anomalies In Pay-Scale Of SCDRC Members

The Supreme Court today issued Notice to all states and Union Territories (UTs) calling for their responses as to anomalies in pay scales and emoluments of the members of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. Earlier, the Supreme Court was only hearing the issue limited to two states i.e. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

“Issue Notice to all States and UTs”, ordered a Bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala.

The Court was hearing a batch of pleas that prayed that the salary of the members of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission should be at par with the District Judges.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG)  Balbir Singh illustrated the difference in pay of the members of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission across different states. The ASG said that there are many states where there is no pay protection and honorarium is paid on daily basis or on a per sitting basis.

“A Committee may be set up for sorting out anomalies”, he suggested to the Court.

“We can constitute a Committee and elicit responses from the state. Formulate a Report for us. We can do it and give directions straightaway. We can issue broad guidelines”, said CJI DY Chandrachud.

The Court has asked the Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who is the Amicus Curiae in the present proceedings, to suggest the Constitution of the Committee and its terms of reference. Also, the Court said that Advocate-on-Record Prerna Priyadarshini will instruct the Senior Advocate.

Further, the Court clarified that on the next date of hearing, it will dispose of the pending Interlocutory Applications of incumbent or retired officials of the Consumer Fora complaining anomalies in pay scales and emoluments.

The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the inaction of the State Governments in filling up posts of members and staff of District and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, and the inadequacies of infrastructure in these forums.

Cause Title- IN RE PAY AND ALLOWANCE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE U.P. STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION