The oath taking ceremony for newly appointed members of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and members of district commissions, was held at the Department of Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, in Delhi.
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by the director of consumer affairs, Kuldeep Singh, under the chairpersonship of Padmini Singla (Indian Administrative Service officer), secretary-cum-commissioner, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
Meanwhile, Delhi is one of the few states (or union territories, to be more precise), who have made appointments under the new Consumer Protection Act (2019).
Apart from the oath taking, members were also sensitised about the importance of effective implementation of the Act, in the light of the changing ecosystem of consumer markets.
Singla, while congratulating all the selected members, said that the consumer is the king, and that they, as a team, must work to redress their grievances. The new Act has many provisions to effectively dispense justice to them.
The department strives to provide administrative support to the Consumer Commission in effective discharge of their duties. A hybrid system of hearing will soon be available in the Commission, to tackle limitations arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new members shared their past experiences and commitment to protect the interests of Delhi’s consumers. In the state and district commissions, 26 vacant seats have been filled at once.
Three members have been appointed under the state commission, while 23 have been appointed in district commissions. The appointees are from fields such as the judiciary, administration, and advocates who have experience in consumer-related matters.