Telangana: Consumer Panel Appointments Challenged In HC
The petition challenges the appointments of presidents and members of various District Consumer Commissions: Reports
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has asked the state government’s stand on a writ petition questioning the constitutional and legal validity of appointments made to the Telangana State District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (DCDRCs).
The petition challenges the appointments of presidents and members of various District Consumer Commissions, alleging that the state consumer affairs, food & civil supplies department failed to comply with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020.
The petitioner Vijaygopal contended that several presidents did not possess the requisite qualifications prescribed under the new legislation, while appointments and reappointments of members were allegedly made without following the prescribed selection procedure and obtaining the mandatory approval of the selection committee.
The petition further alleged that the selection committee minutes were neither furnished to the petitioner nor placed in the public domain. It was also argued that appointments made after 20 July 2020, when the 2019 Act came into force, were required to strictly conform to the new statutory regime.