For over two decades, petitioners visiting the Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the Chennai Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission have had to contend with the cramped space and poor amenities at its office on R.K. Mutt Road, Mylapore.
Not anymore. The consumers’ courts now function in a state-owned three-storey building on Frazer Bridge Road, opposite the bus terminus in Broadway. In February this year, it was inaugurated by the Chief Minister through video conferencing.
“We are planning to provide drinking water at the complex by installing a reverse osmosis plant. The Commission’s new building is fully furnished and spacious,” said A. Paramaraj, registrar, Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (TNSCDRC), which comes under the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department.
Located behind the Tamil Nadu Dental College in Broadway, the work on the complex was started in January 2012 after the state government allotted around 15,000 sq. ft. of land.
The project was a joint initiative with the union government providing Rs 3. 95 crore and the state government, Rs. 62.55 lakh.
The spacious complex has visiting halls on all its three floors, including the basement which can accommodate at least 50 persons at a time. It has adequate parking for advocates and petitioners, separate rooms for lawyers, court officials and for members of the commission. It has a record room. And a library with a collection of 100 books, mainly related to consumer rights and laws, is also available.
The basement consists of the office rooms of the Chennai District Consumer Courts for north and south. The first floor is occupied by the staff of the TNSCDRC The second floor of the complex is the court hall for city consumer courts for north and south. The top floor is the court hall for TNSCDRC. All the floors have been connected with lifts.
With good connectivity (the bus terminus and the Fort station are close by), petitioners find it easy to reach the complex. “Earlier, petitioners had no space for them to sit outside the court hall at the complex on R.K. Mutt Road. In contrast, the new facility is petitioner-friendly with provision of many basic facilities,” said K.Vishnu, a resident of Kilpauk.
For help, call 28592828
