Explanation:

The government had established a consumer court in Srinagar in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to deal with consumer complaints, disputes and grievances.

The step had brought much respite to local consumers.

However, since the abrogation of the state’s limited autonomy it has been shut leaving people of the region in a fix.

With the abrogation of the region’s special status the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 turned inapplicable due to which the court was closed.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 that came into effect in July 2020 was made applicable to Jammu and Kashmir under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019.

The said Act replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 under which the court was established in the region.

However, following its closure, people in the region are facing hardships as the government is yet to notify the establishment of the consumer court under new laws applicable to the region despite the passing of over two years.

Consumers complain that neither they are able to file new complaints nor the already filed complaints are resolved.