If you are an aggrieved consumer seeking justice, a knowledge of Marathi may prove more crucial than any single other factor in clinching the case. Otherwise, get ready to hire a translator as the case may not even be heard at a consumer forum in the state. In a move that will affect a large number of consumers, the State Consumer Redressal Commission has issued a circular making it mandatory for all complaints at consumer forums to be filed in Marathi.

The circular dated September 16 states, “Since the language of the District Consumer Forum is Marathi, the complaint and reply version are expected to be in Marathi.”

The commission has also issued other directives, besides prescribing a format under which an application has to be filed. The commission said that these instructions have been issued under Section 24-B of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, to maintain a uniform procedure throughout district forums in Maharashtra.

An official said, “The state commission in its meeting of the administrative committee dated April 23 had approved these instructions. We are merely enforcing the rules framed by the state government which say that the language used in the district forums should be Marathi.”

Other directives issued by the commission may make filing of consumer cases a more tedious affair. For instance, the commission has issued proforma (similar to petition copies filed in the high court) which have to be adhered to when a complaint or an appeal is being filed in the consumer redressal forum.

Previously, even a complaint on the ordinary page was accepted by the forums for adjudicating the matter. However, an official claimed, many complaints were from people who were not serious in pursuing the matter.

Moreover, the directive states that all the documents, supporting or defending the complaint will have to be certified as ‘true copy’ by the advocate representating the consumer. The circular said that this directive is necessary to avoid forgery or presentation of false documents in support of the claim.

The official added, “The Marathi language directive is not applicable at the State Redressal Commission as its judgment can be appealed in the National Consumer Redressal Commission, where the language in use is English.” He added that Marathi language rules is likely to benefit lakhs of the Marathi- speaking community, who may not have a clue what has been written in the complaint filed before the forum in English.

An advocate said, “As of now, district forums are accepting the copy of the complaint in English but on the condition that a translated version will be submitted in the next few days.”

Read more: Consumer complaints must be in Marathi only – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Consumer-complaints-must-be-in-Marathi-only/articleshow/6647904.cms#ixzz136CFdcCU

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