SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir continues to record one of the lowest volumes of consumer disputes in the country, yet its redressal mechanism is operating with substantial vacancies and infrastructure constraints, raising concerns over access to timely consumer justice in the Union Territory.
Information shared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the Lok Sabha shows that complaint filings in Jammu and Kashmir remained negligible until recently, before witnessing a gradual uptick over the past three years.
Official data indicates that no cases were filed or disposed of in 2021. In 2022, 12 cases were filed with none disposed of. The numbers rose modestly in 2023, with 31 filings and 3 disposals. In 2024, 46 cases were filed while 160 were disposed of, including older pending matters. The sharpest increase came in 2025, when 317 complaints were filed and 84 disposed of.
Compared to larger states that handle thousands of consumer disputes annually, Jammu and Kashmir’s figures remain among the lowest nationally, reflecting limited litigation or low awareness of formal consumer grievance mechanisms.
Despite the relatively small caseload, the Union Territory’s commissions are functioning with notable staff shortages.
Jammu and Kashmir has 10 District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and a State Commission, but one President and one Member post remain vacant at the State level. At the district level, six President posts and eleven Member posts are vacant, leaving several benches either understaffed or non-functional.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, places responsibility for appointments and infrastructure with the State or UT administration, with recruitment processes required to begin at least six months before vacancies arise. The Centre said it has been urging States and Union Territories to expedite appointments.
The government has prescribed that consumer complaints should ideally be resolved within three months where no product testing is required and five months where analysis is involved. However, vacant positions can slow hearings and affect disposal timelines even when filings are low.
Officials also pointed to infrastructure deficits. While commissions are meant to operate from dedicated premises with mediation rooms and basic facilities, many districts face space and equipment constraints. To address this, the Centre provides financial support under the Strengthening of Consumer Commissions scheme, covering construction and essential non-building assets.
Digitisation efforts are also underway. Under the CONFONET project and the recently launched e-Jagriti portal, consumers can file complaints online, upload documents, pay fees digitally and attend virtual hearings. The system is intended to particularly benefit residents of remote and hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir, reducing the need for travel to district headquarters.
Officials said improving staffing, infrastructure and digital outreach would be key to strengthening consumer protection in the Union Territory as awareness and complaint volumes begin to rise.
