The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to frame "objective norms" and "model rules" for appointment of members of consumer commissions both at the state and district levels including their service conditions for ensuring uniformity in setting up of consumer protection fora.Seeking the framing of rules for appointment of members of the consumer commission at the national level as well, the bench of Chief Justice T.S.Thakur, Justice L. Nagaswara Rao and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud gave the government four months time for this purpose.Seeking uniformity in the salary and other service conditions of the members of consumer commissions across the country, the court said: "The Union Government shall for the purpose of ensuring uniformity .... frame model rules for adoption by the state governments."
Pronouncing the judgment, Justice Chandrachud directed the government to also frame within these four months model rules prescribing objective norms for the appointment of members of the consumer commission at the national and the state level, including at district fora.The objective norms would also include the assessment of the ability, knowledge and experience required to be possessed by the members of the consumer fora at state and district level.Saying that the model rules would be subject to its nod, the court said that these rules "shall be finalised upon due consultation with the President of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission".