The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong objection at vacancies in state consumer disputes redressal commissions, saying that the states are defeating laws enacted for welfare of people. What is the purpose of creating posts and not filling them, it said, asking all states and Union Territories to fill all vacancies within a period of eight weeks. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hrishikesh Roy, while hearing counsel for various state governments, remarked: "Are you waiting for an auspicious occasion to take steps.

"We just want persons in positions. States defeating laws enacted for welfare of people. What is purpose of creating posts and not manning them?" The bench noted it appears that some of the states and UTs have not even set up selection committees, and directed it should be done within 4 weeks. It added that all states should notify rules within two weeks and if there are large number of vacancies, then "we direct that all vacancies be advertised within two weeks."