The Centre has taken several measures to improve the performance and working of various Consumer fora in the country. Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Prof. K.V. Thomas in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today informed that financial assistance is being provided by the Central Government to the States, Union Territories for strengthening of infrastructure of Consumer Fora .

The Computerization and Computer Networking of all the Consumer Fora across the country is also being implemented. He said, the State government have been requested from time to time to take action well in advance for filling up of vacancies of President and Members and to maintain a panel of candidates for filling up of future vacancies also to avoid delays in
appointments.

Prof. Thomas added that in order to dispose of the pending cases; Circuit Benches from National Commission have been visiting States. He informed that so far, the National Commission has held Circuit Bench sittings at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Ernakulam, Ahmedabad and Bhopal.

The Minister said that some State Commissions have constituted Additional Benches mainly to dispose off backlog of pending cases.