The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to frame within four months model rules prescribing objective norms for administration of consumer courts across the country.
The court stressed that “a systemic overhaul of the entire infrastructure is necessary if the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is not to become a dead letter.”
A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur passed a slew of directions, clarifying the role, powers and functions of the National Consumer Commission, state consumer commissions and district consumer fora to ensure the mechanism to protect consumers was strengthened. The bench directed that the model rules should provide for the payment of salary, allowances and for the conditions of service of the members of the consumer fora commensurate with the nature of adjudicatory duties and the need to attract suitable talent to the adjudicating bodies.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks