Supreme Court eases norm for selection of consumer court presidents, members

Subject : Polity

Section: Msc

Concept :

The Supreme Court on March 3rd reduced the mandatory professional experience from 20 to 10 years to preside over consumer courts.
The Supreme Court said lawyers and professionals with a Bachelor’s degree who has 10 years of experience in consumer affairs, law, public affairs, administration, economics, commerce, industry, finance, management, engineering, technology, public health or medicine will be eligible for appointment as President and member of the state consumer commission and district forums.
It used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to reduce the experience criteria to attract younger talent to preside over consumer courts.
It also introduced written exams and viva voce to check the candidates’ performance.
Consumer commissions have the power of civil courts in many aspects.

Background:

The Union government has proposed several amendments to the Consumer Protection (Qualification for appointment, method of recruitment, procedure of appointment, term of office, resignation and removal of President and Members of State Commission and District Commission) Rules, 2020.
The Supreme Court’s recent judgement would fill the vacuum until the amendments were made in the 2020 Rules.
For notes on consumer protection act, 2019, refer – https://optimizeias.com/consumer-protection-act/#:~:text=The%20newly%20enacted%20Consumer%20Protection,and%20misleading%20ads%20by%20firms.

Article 142 of the Constitution:

Article 142 provides a unique power to the Supreme Court, to do complete justice between the parties, where at times law or statute may not provide a remedy.
In those situations, the Court can extend itself to put a quietus to a dispute in a manner that would fit the facts of the case.