The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Top posts vacant in consumer panel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Top posts vacant in consumer panel

K.T. Sangameswaran

No president; post of Registrar lying vacant for seven months

CHENNAI: : At a time when the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is stressing the need for consumer disputes redress agencies to dispose of cases expeditiously, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is headless with the posts of president and Registrar vacant.

A fortnight ago, the then president, Justice A. Raman, retired. Nobody has been appointed in his place.

According to the Consumer Protection Act, the State Government can appoint as president a person who is, or has been, a High Court judge, in consultation with the High Court Chief Justice.

The president can hold office for five years, or until he attains the age of 67, whichever is earlier. Reappointment for another term is possible only if the retired person fulfils the conditions.

Official sources say according to the national commission's regulations, a consumer forum is expected to dispose of at least 75-100 matters a month.

The State Commission has also been entrusted with looking after the functioning of the district consumer disputes redressal forums. At present, there are 18 independent forums and six combined forums in the State.

Through an amendment to the Act, the pecuniary jurisdiction of the State Commission has been increased from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore.

In the absence of a Registrar, another official is discharging his duties. The Registrar is appointed in consultation with the High Court. The last incumbent, C. Subramani, retired in December 2004.

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