Kathmandu: The government has decided to set up the country’s first consumer court, a move long envisioned by the Consumer Protection Act, which was endorsed six years ago.
A Cabinet meeting on Monday approved the establishment of the first judicial body of its kind. Initially, the consumer court will operate in the Kathmandu Valley to address consumer-related disputes, said Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.
The decision follows the recommendation of the Judicial Council on October 28, 2024. The council proposed Judge Ram Prasad Sharma of Kathmandu District Court to chair the consumer court, with under-secretary Gehendra Raj Regmi nominated as a member. This special-purpose court will primarily deal with consumer-related conflicts, grievances, and disputes, aiming to bring unscrupulous traders under legal scrutiny through a fast-track judicial process.
The consumer court will oversee three types of cases: violations of consumer rights, compensation-related issues, and offenses as defined by the Consumer Protection Act. Additionally, it will handle government-specified matters related to consumer protection.
Market malpractices such as food adulteration, unfair pricing, artificial shortages, and substandard services have long affected consumers. The absence of a dedicated consumer court has forced individuals to either remain silent about their grievances or endure lengthy bureaucratic and legal procedures to seek justice.
Welcoming the government’s decision, Jyoti Baniya, chairperson of the Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Nepal, said, “This move will help ensure consumer rights as defined by the Constitution.”
The government had previously allocated Rs 10 million in the fiscal year 2023/24 budget to establish a consumer court in Kathmandu on a trial basis. Earlier efforts to set up the court within the Department of Drug Administration premises were halted following a Supreme Court order mandating the creation of a separate infrastructure for the purpose.