Punjab cabinet okays rules for appointment at consumer panels

The Punjab Cabinet today gave its nod to model rules for appointments, salary and service conditions of president and members of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) and District Consumer Forums (DCF).

The rules, aimed at boosting transparency in such appointments, were approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh this morning.

An official spokesperson said the 'Punjab Consumer Protection (appointment, salary, allowances and conditions of service of President and Members of the State Commission and District Forum) Rules 2018, would come into force on the date of their publication in the official gazette.

The Supreme Court, in Civil Appeal 2740 of 2007 titled as State of Uttar Pradesh through Principal Secretary and others, had directed the Government of India to formulate draft rules for the appointment of president/members.

Subsequently, the Centre presented the draft rules before the apex court, which had approved the same and directed states to adopt them within three months.

Punjab has a State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission with a network of 20 District Consumer Forums, which are entrusted with the task of Consumer Complaint Redressal at the state and district level.

The Administrative Department of these bodies is Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs.