Let US Celebrate National Consumer Day In The UTs Of J&K & Ladakh

On December 24th, Nation Consumer Day is celebrated across the country. This time UTs of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh will also celebrate National Consumer Day as Consumer Protection Act,1986 [ Act No.68 0f 1986] which came into operation on December 24th,1986, and now, the same has been extended to these UTs under the J&K Reorganization Act,2019. With this Act, we bade goodbye to erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir Consumer Protect Act, 1987. The Consumer Protection Act,2019 received the assent of the President of India on August 9, 2019, and was published in the Gazette of India and hence, became law of the land and repealed the Consumer Protection Act,1986. However, as per Schedule fifth of the 1986 Act is extended to these UTs till the Central Government issues required notification. We will, however, soon celebrate World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, next year. I wonder, are there any consumer courts/consumer councils etc. in the two UTs carved out of J&K State? Indeed NO! This is done as a sequel of abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A of the Constitution of India. Going through the print media, a news item published in almost all newspapers in the Union Territory issue dated December 19, 2019, & Daily Excelsior front page titled ‘High Court seeks compliance on rules for Commission, Forums’, I feel my duty to highlight some important aspects on the subject.