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Sharad Yadav seeks speedy disposal of CAS cases by consumer courts
NEW DELHI: One more politician has entered the fray! Janata Dal supremo Sharad Yadav, who is also a minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution in the coalition NDA government, has urged the consumer courts to provide speedy redressal to consumers of Conditional Access System (CAS) on cases that might be filed in consumer fora with its introduction from 15 July 2003.
While inaugurating a seminar ” Towards a Consumer Friendly Cable TV System” organised by Consumer Unity and Trust Society on Tuesday, the minister said that he had already written a letter to this effect to the president of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) in this regard.
“The Government of India brought into effect a very comprehensive and progressive piece of legislation in the form of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which provided momentum and impetus to the consumer movement in the country. This is a unique Act which provides for simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal to consumers against supply of defective goods and deficient services,” a Medianet report quoted the minister as saying.
The report also says that Yadav cautioned the consumers and the media to be vigilant and to expose any fraudulent practices by unscrupulous elements in the trade associated with the supply of CAS after its introduction. Only alert consumers aware of their rights and responsibilities can protect themselves besides making consumer sovereignty a reality, he added.
The minister also expressed the hope that the ministry of information and broadcasting which has taken a pro-active role and stepped in to fix the price of free to air channels is taking all care for the smooth introduction of the new system of CAS in implementing the Cable Television Network (Amendment) Act, 2003.
Yadav also pointed out that with the introduction of CAS, consumers might face some problems such as cable operators insisting on installation of Set Top Box (STB) even for free to air channels or not providing proper services. Though the I&B ministry has provided for a complaints redressal mechanism, complainants are free to approach consumer forums for seeking redressal, Yadav suggested.
As per the provisions, the consumer courts are required to dispose of cases as far as possible within a period of 90 days or within 150 days, where testing is required. Till date in these consumer forums 2.02 million cases have been filed out of which 1.67 million cases have been disposed of, which works out to 82.91 per cent, Yadav said.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
