We direct the State Government to sanction one additional Member to the Commission and see to it that the additional Member is appointed within three months from today.  It is made clear that no request for extension of time will be entertained. This we are constrained to direct in view of no steps having been taken notwithstanding our observations in the order dated 6.2.2025. 6.                By 25.7.2025, second respondent shall file an affidavit and serve a copy thereof on learned Amicus Curiae.  The affidavit shall contain the details of the progress made in complying with the directions given above. Stand over to 1.8.2025. (K.R.SHRIRAM, C.J.)                    (SUNDER MOHAN, J.)                                                                   16.06.2025    sasi To: 1.    The Principal Secretary     to Government of Tamilnadu,     Human Resources Management Department,     Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009 2.   The Principal Secretary    to Government of Tamilnadu,     Co-operation, Food & Consumer     Protection Department,     Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009 3.   The Secretary     Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission     TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar     Chennai – 600 003. 4.   The Member Secretary     State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission     TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar     Chennai – 600 003.    

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 16.06.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.K.R.SHRIRAM, CHIEF JUSTICE

AND

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN

Suo-motu W.P.No.33629 of 2024

The Principal Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu,

Human Resources Management Department, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009 and 3 others

Respondents

For Respondents:

Mr.P.S.Raman Advocate General

assisted by Mr.A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader for R1 and R2

Mr.R.Bharanidharan

Standing Counsel for R3

Mr.Sharath Chandran

Amicus Curiae

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Chief Justice) The matter was listed for directions today.

2.                Learned Advocate General, on instructions, states that all the deficiencies that learned Amicus Curiae had highlighted in the interim note dated 6.2.2025 have been cured.  Learned Advocate General states that now the Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is

functioning at full strength and all staff have been employed.

3.                By a letter dated 15.12.2022, which was followed by a letter dated

20.3.2023, the President of the Tamil Nadu State Consumer Disputes

Redressal Commission had requested for sanctioning one additional Member to the Commission.  Those letters were premised on the basis of additional workload.  This request was not considered due to financial constraints.  This Court, in the order of 6.2.2025, had observed that even after 22 months since the letters were addressed no steps have been taken.

The Court had also observed that it reflects lack of interest in addressing the issues by the State Government.

4.                Learned Advocate General states that his instructions are that the request will be re-considered.

5.                We are not inclined to give an option to the Government to again shoot down this request.  It is the fundamental right of every citizen to be provided with required judicial infrastructure and it is the duty of every State to provide the same.   We direct the State Government to sanction one additional Member to the Commission and see to it that the additional Member is appointed within three months from today.  It is made clear that no request for extension of time will be entertained. This we are constrained to direct in view of no steps having been taken notwithstanding our observations in the order dated 6.2.2025.

6.                By 25.7.2025, second respondent shall file an affidavit and serve a copy thereof on learned Amicus Curiae.  The affidavit shall contain the details of the progress made in complying with the directions given above.

Stand over to 1.8.2025.

(K.R.SHRIRAM, C.J.)                    (SUNDER MOHAN, J.)

                                                                  16.06.2025

sasi

To:

1.    The Principal Secretary     to Government of Tamilnadu,

    Human Resources Management Department,

    Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009

2.   The Principal Secretary    to Government of Tamilnadu,     Co-operation, Food & Consumer

    Protection Department,

    Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009

3.   The Secretary

    Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission     TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar     Chennai – 600 003.

4.   The Member Secretary

    State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission     TNPSC Road, VOC Nagar     Chennai – 600 003.