Justice Britto will be remembered for smooth
functioning of consumer foras in Goa
By Jatin Ramaiya
As we enter dawn of the New Year, we say farewell to one of the most esteemed Presidents of the Goa State Consumer Redressal Commission, Justice N A Britto.
The retired High Court judge, known for his substantial justice approach, took over the post of the President of the State Commission in times when the Commission and other Forums under the Consumer Protection Act suffered with staggering pendency and filled dockets of cases which were attributed to a lack of a permanent local president for the Commission. His appointment, which led to every day sitting of the Commission, provided great relief to consumers in Goa suffering from the pendency of their cases in the Commission.
Apart from discharging his quasi judicial functions, he worked extensively on the administrative side of the commission as well, whether for getting permanents presidents for the District Forums or streamlining the procedure by issuing guidelines for District Forums.
He left no stone unturned to facilitate speedy disposal of cases, and further recommended measures to the government which would enable further smooth functioning of the Consumer Foras in Goa.
Whilst exercising its judicial powers, the retiring President set several benchmarks, known to treat the consumer and opponents on the same weighing scale.
Justice Britto his in judgements did not desist to declare the judgements passed by even the Apex Consumer Redressal body, the National Commission per incurim ie being passed without considering some law or precedent, and at the same time did entertain dissent amongst the members of his own Commission on points of law.
In the years, he presided over the Commission and delivered various landmark judgements which settled the law with regards to many disputed propositions, and contributed greatly in the field of consumer jurisprudence. A reading of his judgements delivered by him would demonstrate the amount of emphasis he used to bestow on speedy, summary and efficacious procedure of the Consumer Forums.
Whilst parting away, one only wishes all the very best to the retired High Court Judge, and more importantly, one of the most pragmatic judges in the fraternity.
Justice Britto will demit his office on January 7, 2016 and be succeeded by an equally respected retired High Court judge, Justice U V Bakre.
