State Commission has dismissed the appeal filed by the petitioner as barred by limitation.  The order of the District Forum is dated 24.9.2009.  According to the petitioner, petitioner was made aware of the order on 22.10.2009.  The appeal was filed (exact date not given) somewhere in the middle of 2010.  The only reason given for condonation of delay was that the Board is a public body run on public funds and if the delay is not condoned then the appellant would suffer irreparable loss.  State Commission was not satisfied with the cause shown and dismissed the appeal as barred by limitation.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, the consumer fora are required to decide the case within a period of 90 days from the date of filing, in case, no expert evidence is required to be taken and within 150 days, wherever expert evidence is required to be taken.  The inordinate delay of more than six months could not be condoned without showing sufficient cause.  Delay of each day has to be explained. 

We agree with the view taken by the State Commission.  Under Section 24 (a) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 the complaint can be filed within two years of the date of arising of the cause of action.  The inordinate delay of more than 6 months in filing the appeal would defeat the very purpose of enactment of the Act, which has been enacted to provide cheap and speedy remedy to the consumers for settlement of their disputes.  Dismissed