(1) This Act may be called the Drugs ¹[and Cosmetics] Act, 1940.
(2) It extends to the whole of India ²[***].
(3) It shall come into force at once; but Chapter III shall take effect only from such date³ as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, and Chapter IV shall take effect in a particular State only from such date3 as the State Government may, by like notification, appoint in this behalf:
⁴[Provided that in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Chapter III shall take effect only from such date⁵ after the commencement of the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 1972 (19 of 1972), as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf.]
————————————–
1. Ins. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 27-7-1964).
2. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 19 of 1972, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 31-5-1972).
3. 1st April, 1947; see Notification No.F. 28(10) (3) 45H(I), dated 2nd September, 1946, Gazette of India, 1946, Pt. I, p. 1349.
Chapter IV came into force in the States of Delhi, Ajmer and Coorg on 1st April, 1947, see Notification No. F. 28 (10)(3) 45H(I), Chapters III and IV came into force in the States of Himachal Pradesh, Bilaspur, Kutch, Bhopal, Tripura, Vindhya Pradesh and Manipur on 1st April, 1953, vide Notification No. S.R.O. 663, dated 30th March, 1953, Gazette of India, Pt. II, Sec. 3, p. 451.
Chapter IV came into force in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli w.e.f. 1st August, 1968, see Notification No. ADM/Law/117(74), dated 20th July, 1968, Gazette of India, Pt. III, Sec. 3, p. 128. The Act is extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, sec. 2 and Sch. I; to Pondicherry by Reg. 7 of 1963, sec. 3 and Sch. I; to Goa, Daman and Diu by Reg. 11 of 1963, sec. 3 and Sch. and to Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands by Reg. 8 of 1965, sec. 3 and Sch.
4. Added by Act 19 of 1972, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 31-5-1972).
5. 24th August, 1974, vide Notification No. S.O. 2185, dated 9th August, 1974, published in the Gazette of India, 1974, Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), p. 2331.

2. Application of other laws not barred. –

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930, and any other law for the time being in force.

3. Definitions. –

¹[(a)“²[Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani] drug” includes all medicines intended for internal or external use for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of ³[disease or disorder in human beings or animals, and manufactured] exclusively in accordance with the formulae described in, the authoritative books of ⁴[Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Tibb systems of medicine], specified in the First Schedule;]
⁵[(aa)] “the Board” means—
(i) in relation to ²[Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani] drug, the ⁶[Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board] constituted under section 33C; and
(ii) in relation to any other drug or cosmetic, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board constituted under section 5;]
⁵[⁷[(aaa)] “cosmetic” means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise applied to, the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic ⁸[***];]
⁹[(b) “drug” includes—
¹⁰[(i) all medicines for internal or external use of human beings or animals and all substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of any disease or disorder in human beings or animals, including preparations applied on human body for the purpose of repelling insects like mosquitoes;]
(ii) such substances (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body or intended to be used for the destruction of ¹¹[vermin] or insects which cause disease in human beings or animals, as may be specified from time to time by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette;]
¹²[(iii) all substances intended for use as components of a drug including empty gelatin capsules; and
(iv) such devices* intended for internal or external use in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of disease or disorder in human beings or animals, as may be specified from time to time by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, after consultation with the Board;]
¹³[(c) “Government Analyst” means—
(i) in relation to ¹⁴[Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani] drug, a Government Analyst appointed by the Central Government or a State Government under section 33F; and
(ii) in relation to any other drug or cosmetic, a Government Analyst appointed by the Central Government or a State Government under section 20;]
¹⁵[***]
¹⁶[(e) “Inspector” means—
(i) in relation to ¹⁴[Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani] drug, an Inspector appointed by the Central Government or a State Government under section 33G; and
(ii) in relation to any other drug or cosmetic, an Inspector appointed by the Central Government or a State Government under section 21;]
¹⁷[(f) “manufacture” in relation to any drug ¹⁸[or cosmetic] includes any process or part of a process for making, altering, ornamenting, finishing, packing, labelling, breaking up or otherwise treating or adopting any drug ¹³[or cosmetic] with a view to its ¹⁹[sale or distribution] but does not include the compounding or dispensing ²⁰[of any drug, or the packing of any drug or cosmetic,] in the ordinary course of retail business; and “to manufacture” shall be construed accordingly;]
²¹[(g)] “to import”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions means to bring into ²²[India];
²³[(h) “patent or proprietary medicine” means,—
(i) in relation to Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani Tibb systems of medicine all formulations containing only such ingredients mentioned in the formulae described in the authoritative books of Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani Tibb systems of medicine specified in the First Schedule, but does not include a medicine which is administered by parenteral route and also a formulation included in the authoritative books as specified in clause (a);
(ii) in relation to any other systems of medicine, a drug which is a remedy or prescription presented in a form ready for internal or external administration of human beings or animals and which is not included in the edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia for the time being or any other Pharmacopoeia authorised in this behalf by the Central Government after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board constituted under section 5;]
²⁴[(i) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act.]
²⁵[***]
COMMENTS
(i) It is not necessary that the article should be applied to the whole body. If it is applied to a part of the body and if it beautifies or promotes attractiveness or alters appearance then also it will be a cosmetic within the meaning of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; State of Bombay v. Zahid Hussain, 1975 Mah LJ 455.
(ii) ‘Gandh’ and ‘nail polish’ are ‘cosmetics’ within the meaning of the Act; State of Bombay v. Zahid Hussain, 1975 Mah LJ 455.
(i) The definition of ‘drug’ is an inclusive one. It includes all medicines for external or internal use of human beings or animals or any substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of diseases in human beings or animals; Langamurti v. State of Orissa, (1973) 1 CWR 368.
(ii) The appropriate meaning of the expression ‘substances’ in the section is things; Chimanlal J. Sheth v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 1963 SC 665.
(iii) Water meant to be used for dissolving other medicines for injection into human body is ‘drug’; R.C. Sundarka v. State of West Bengal, 1971 Cr LJ 1369: 77 CWN 437.
————————
1.Ins. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-9-1964)
2.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 2, for “Ayurvedic (including Siddha) or Unani” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
3.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3, for “disease in human beings, mentioned in, and processed and manufactured” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
4.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3, for “Ayurvedic (including Siddha) and Unani (Tibb) system of medicine” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
5.Original clause (a) relettered as clause (aa) and subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
6.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3, for “Ayurvedic and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983)
7.Clause (aa) ins. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 4 (w.e.f. 27-7-1964) and relettered as clause (aaa) by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
8.The words “, but does not include soap” omitted by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
9.Subs. by Act 11 of 1955, sec. 2, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 15-4-1955).
10.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3, for sub-clause (i) (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
11.Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2, for “vermins” (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
12.Ins. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
13.Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
14.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 2, for “Ayurvedic (including Siddha) or Unani” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
15.Clause (d) omitted by Act 19 of 1972, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 31-5-1972).
16.Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 2, for clause (e) (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
17.Clause (bbb) ins. by Act 11 of 1955, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-4-1955) and relettered as clause (f) by Act 35 of 1960, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 16-3-1961)
18.Ins. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 4 (w.e.f. 27-7-1964).
19.Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3, for “sale and distribution” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983)
20.Subs. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 4, for “or packing of any drug”.
21.Clauses (c), (d) and (e) relettered as clauses (g), (h) and (i) respectively by Act 35 of 1960, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 16-3-1961).
22.Subs. by Act 3 of 1951, sec. 3 and Sch., for “the States”.
23.Clause (d) relettered as clause (h) by Act 35 of 1960, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 16-3-1961) and subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 3 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).
24.Clause (e) subs. by Act 11 of 1955, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-4-1955) and relettered as clause (i) by Act 35 of 1960, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 16-3-1961).
25.Clause (f) ins. by the A.O. 1950 and omitted by Act 3 of 1951, sec. 3 and Sch.
* The Central Government has specified (vide S.O. 1468(E), dated 6th October, 2005) the following devices intended for external or internal use in human beings or drugs with immediate effect, namely:—
(i) Cardiac Stents (vi) Bone Cements
(ii) Drug Eluding Stents (vii) Heart Valves
(iii) Catheters (viii) Sclap Vein Set
(iv) Intra Ocular Lenses (ix) Orthopaedic Implants
(v) I.V. Cannulac (x) Internal Prosthetic Replacements.

3A. Constitution of references to any law not in force or any functionary not in existence in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. –

¹[3A. Construction of references to any law not in force or any functionary not in existence in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Any reference in this Act to any law which is not in force, or any functionary not in existence, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, shall, in relation to that State, be construed as a reference to the corresponding law in force, or to the corresponding functionary in existence, in that State.
------------------------
1. Ins. by Act 19 of 1972, sec. 4 (w.e.f. 31-5-1972).

4. Presumption as to poisonous substances. –

Any substance specified as poisonous by rule made under Chapter III or Chapter IV ¹[or Chapter IVA] shall be deemed to be a poisonous substance for the purpose of Chapter III or Chapter IV 1[or Chapter IVA], as the case may be.
———————–

5.The Drugs Technical Advisory Board. –

¹[(2) The Board shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(i) the Director General of Health Services, ex officio, who shall be Chairman;
(ii) the Drugs Controller, India, ex officio;
(iii) the Director of the Central Drugs Laboratory, Calcutta, ex officio;
(iv) the Director of the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, ex officio;
(v) the Director of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, ex officio;
(vi) the President of the Medical Council of India, ex officio;
(vii) the President of the Pharmacy Council of India, ex officio;
(viii) the Director of the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, ex officio;
(ix) two persons to be nominated by the Central Government from among persons who are in charge of drugs control in the States;
(x) one person, to be elected by the Executive Committee of the Pharmacy Council of India, from among teachers in pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry or pharmacognosy on the staff of an Indian University or a college affiliated thereto;
(xi) one person, to be elected by the Executive Committee of the Medical Council of India, from among teachers in medicine or therapeutics on the staff of an Indian University or a college affiliated thereto;
(xii) one person to be nominated by the Central Government from the pharmaceutical industry;
(xiii) one pharmacologist to be elected by the Governing Body of the Indian Council of Medical Research;
(xiv) one person to be elected by the Central Council of the Indian Medical Association;
(xv) one person to be elected by the Council of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association;
(xvi) two persons holding the appointment of Government Analyst under this Act, to be nominated by the Central Government.]
(3) The nominated and elected members of the Board shall hold office for three years, but shall be eligible for re-nomination and re-election:
²[Provided that the person nominated or elected, as the case may be, under clause (ix) or clause (x) or clause (xi) or clause (xvi) of sub-section (2) shall hold office for so long as he holds the appointment of the office by virtue of which he was nominated or elected to the Board.]
(4) The Board may, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, make bye-laws fixing a quorum and regulating its own procedure and the conduct of all business to be transacted by it.
(5) The Board may constitute sub-committees and may appoint to such sub-committees for such periods, not exceeding three years, as it may decide, or temporarily for the consideration of particular matters, persons who are not members of the Board.
(6) The functions of the Board may be exercised notwithstanding any vacancy therein.
(7) The Central Government shall appoint a person to be Secretary of the Board and shall provide the Board with such clerical and other staff as the Central Government considers necessary.
—————————–
1. Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 4, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
2. Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 4, for the Proviso (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).

6. The Central Drugs Laboratory. –

(1) The Central Government shall, as soon as may be, establish a Central Drugs Laboratory under the control of a Director to be appointed by the Central Government, to carry out the functions entrusted to it by this Act or any rules made under this Chapter :
Provided that, if the Central Government so prescribes, the functions of the Central Drugs Laboratory in respect of any drug or class of drugs ¹[or cosmetic or class of cosmetics] shall be carried out at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, or at any other prescribed Laboratory and the functions of the Director of the Central Drugs Laboratory in respect of such drug or class of drugs ¹[or such cosmetic or class of cosmetics] shall be exercised by the Director of that Institute or of that other Laboratory, as the case may be.
(2) The Central Government may, after consultation with the Board, make rules prescribing—
(a) the functions of the Central Drugs Laboratory;
²[***]
(d) the procedure for the submission of the said Laboratory ³[under Chapter IV or Chapter IVA] of samples of drugs ²[or cosmetics] for analysis or test, the forms of the Laboratory’s reports thereon and the fees payable in respect of such reports;
(e) such other matters as may be necessary or expedient to enable the said Laboratory to carry out its functions;
(f) the matters necessary to be prescribed for the purposes of the proviso to sub-section (1).
—————————-
1. Ins. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 5 (w.e.f. 27-7-1964).
2. Clauses (b) and (c) omitted by Act 11 of 1955, sec. 4 (w.e.f. 15-4-1955).
3. Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 5, for “under Chapter IV” (w.e.f. 15-9-964).

7. The Drugs Consultative Committee. –

(1) The Central Government may constitute an advisory committee to be called “the Drugs Consultative Committee” to advise the Central Government, the State Governments and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board on any matter tending to secure uniformity throughout ¹[ India] in the administration of this Act.
(2) The Drugs Consultative Committee shall consist of two representatives of the Central Government to be nominated by that Government and one representative of each State Government to be nominated by the State Government concerned.
(3) The Drugs Consultative Committee shall meet when required to do so by the Central Government and shall have power to regulate its own procedure.
—————————
1. Ins. by Act 3 of 1951, sec. 3 and Sch., for “the States”.

7A. Section 5 and 7 not to apply to Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drugs. –

¹[7A. Sections 5 and 7 not to apply to Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani drugs.—
Nothing contained in sections 5 and 7 shall apply to 2[Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani] drugs.]
———————————
1. Ins. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).
2. Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 2, for “Ayurvedic (including Siddha) or Unani” (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

8. Standards of quality. –

¹[(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, the expression “standard quality” means—
(a) in relation to a drug, that the drug complies with the standard set out in ²[the Second Schedule], and
(b) in relation to a cosmetic, that the cosmetic complies with such standard as may be prescribed.]
(2) The Central Government, after consultation with the Board and after giving by notification in the Official Gazette not less than three months’ notice of its intention so to do, may by a like notification add to or otherwise amend ²[the Second Schedule], for the purposes of this Chapter, and thereupon ²[the Second Schedule] shall be deemed to be amended accordingly.
—————————–
1. Subs. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 6, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 27-7-1964).
2. Subs. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 7, for “the Schedule” (w.e.f. 15-9-1964).

9. Misbranded drugs. –

¹[9. Misbranded drugs. For the purposes of this Chapter, a drug shall be deemed to be misbranded, -
(a) If it is so coloured, coated, powdered or polished that damage is concealed or if it is made to appear of better or greater therapeutic value than it really is ; or
(b) If it is not labeled in the prescribed manner ; or
(c) If its label or contained or anything accompanying the drug bears any statement, design or device which is false or misleading in any particular.]
—————————
1. Subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 5, for section 9 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

9A. Adulterated drugs. –

¹[9A. Adulterated drugs. For the purposes of this Chapter, a drug shall be deemed to be adulterated, -
(a) If it consists, in whole or in part, of any filthy, putrid or decomposed substance ; or
(b) If it has been prepared, packed or stored under insanitary conditions whereby it may have been contaminated with filth or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health ; or
(c) If its contained is composed in whole or in part, of any poisonous or deleterious substance which may render the contents injurious to health; or
(d) If it bears or contains, for purposes of colouring only, a colour other than one which is prescribed ; or
(e) If it contains any harmful or toxic substance which may render it injurious to health ; or
(f) If any substance has been mixed therewith so as to reduce its quality or strength.
------------------------
1. Section 9A ins. by Act 21 of 1962, sec. 7 and subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

9B. Spurious drugs. –

¹9B. Spurious drugs. –For the purposes of this Chapter, a drug shall be deemed to be spurious, -
(a) If it is imported under a name which belongs to another drug ; or
(b) If it is an imitation of, or is a substitute for, another drug or resembles another drug in a manner likely to deceive or bears upon it or upon its label or contained the name of another drug unless it is plainly and conspicuously marked so as to reveal its true character and its lack of identity with such other drug ; or
(c) If the label or container bears the name of an individual or company purporting to be the manufacturer of the drug, which individual or company is fictitious or does not exist ; or
(d) If it has been substituted wholly or in part by another drug or substance ; or
(e) If it purports to be the product of a manufacturer of whom it is only truly a product.
-------------------------
1. Section 9B ins. by Act 13 of 1964, sec. 8 (w.e.f. 15-9-1964) and subs. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

9C. Misbranded Cosmetics. –

¹9C. Misbranded Cosmetics.
For the purposes of this Chapter, a cosmetic shall be deemed to be misbranded –
(a) If it contains a colour which is not prescribed ; or
(b) If it is not labeled in the prescribed manner ; or
(c) If the label or container or anything accompanying the cosmetic bears any statement, which is false or misleading in any particular.
----------------------------
1. Ins. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

9D. Spurious cosmetics. –

¹[9D. Spurious cosmetics.
For the purposes of this Chapter, a cosmetic shall be deemed to be spurious, -
(a) If it is imported under a name which belongs to another cosmetic ; or
(b) If it is an imitation of, or is a substitute for, another cosmetic or resembles another cosmetic in a manner likely to deceive or bears upon it or upon its label or container the name of another cosmetic, unless it is plainly and conspicuously marked so as to reveal its true character and its lack of identity with such other cosmetic ; or
(c) If the label or container bears the name of an individual or a company purporting to be the manufacturer of the cosmetic which individual or company is fictitious or does not exist ; or
(d) If it purports to be the product of a manufacturer of whom it is.]
———————-
1. Ins. by Act 68 of 1982, sec. 6 (w.e.f. 1-2-1983).

10. Prohibition of import of certain drugs or cosmetics. –

From such date¹ as may be fixed by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette in this behalf, no person shall import—
(a) any drug ²[or cosmetic] which is not of standard quality;
³[(b) any misbranded drug ⁴[or misbranded or spurious cosmetic];]
⁵[(bb) any ⁶[adulterated or spurious] drug;]
(c) any drug ²[or cosmetic] for the import of which a licence is prescribed, otherwise than under, and in accordance with, such licence;
⁷[(d) any patent or proprietary medicine, unless there is displayed in the prescribed manner on the label or container thereof ⁸[the true formula or list of active ingredients contained in it together with the quantities thereof];]
(e) any drug which by means of any statement, design or device accompanying it or by any other means, purports or claims to cure or mitigate any such disease or ailment, or to have any such other effect, as may be prescribed;
⁹[(ee) any cosmetic containing any ingredient which may render it unsafe or harmful or use under the directions indicated or recommended;]
(f) any drug ¹[or cosmetic] the import of which is prohibited by rule made under this Chapter:
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the import, subject to prescribed conditions, of small quantities of any drug for the purpose of examination, test or analysis or for personal use:
Provided further that the Central Government may, after consultation with the Board, by notification in the Official Gazette, permit, subject to any conditions specified in the notification, the import of any drug or class of drugs not being of standard quality.
¹⁰[***]
COMMENTS
Any import of goods, of which the importation is prohibited by law, cannot be a valid import under the Act. So, goods so imported cannot be treated to be lawfully ‘imported goods’; S. Mohammed v. Asstt. Collector, Customs, AIR 1970 Cal 134.
————————
1.1st April, 1947, for clauses (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f) and 1st April, 1949, for clause (d), see Notification No. 18-12-46-D.I., dated 11th F

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

கேபிள் "டிவி'களை கட்டுப்படுத்த புதிய சட்டம்

கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர் அலுவலகங்களில் ரெய்டு என்பது தான், அனைத்துப் பகுதிகளில் இருந்தும் வரும் தலைப்புச் செய்தி. கேபிள் "டிவி'கள் எப்படி இயங்குகின்றன? தவறு எங்கே நடக்கிறது?
முதலாவதாக, கேபிள் "டிவி' என்பதே முழுக்க முழுக்க மத்திய அரசு சமாச்சாரம். மாநில அரசின் பங்களிப்பு எதுவும் கிடையாது. எல்லாமே, "இந்திய தொலைத் தொடர்பு ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையம்' எனப்படும், "டிராய்'ன் வழிநடத்துதலில் வருபவை. சேவை வரி தான் விதிக்கப்படுகிறது என்பதால், அதுவும் டில்லிக்கு போய்விடுகிறது. அடிப்படையில், கேபிள் தொழிலை மூன்று பிரிவாக பிரிக்கலாம். முதலாவது, எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்கள் (மல்ட்டி சிஸ்டம் ஆபரேட்டர்). அடுத்தது, ஆபரேட்டர்கள். மூன்றாவது, உள்ளூர் சேனல்கள். இந்த மூன்றுமே, ஒரு பெட்டிக்கடை துவக்குவதை விட மிகச் சுலபம். அருகாமையில் உள்ள தலைமை தபால் அலுவலகத்தில், "போஸ்ட் மாஸ்டரை' பார்த்து, அதற்கென உள்ள விண்ணப்பத்தை (பாரம் 1) பூர்த்தி செய்து, வெறும் 500 ரூபாய் கட்டினால் போதும்; நீங்கள் எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,வாகவோ, ஆபரேட்டராகவோ, உள்ளூர் சேனல் அதிபராகவோ அவதாரம் எடுத்துவிடலாம்.
விண்ணப்பங்களை ஏற்பதற்கும், நிராகரிப்பதற்கும், தலைமை தபால் அலுவலவருக்கு முழு அதிகாரம் உண்டு. முறையான பதிவு இன்றி, இந்த மூன்று பிரிவினருமே இயங்க முடியாது. நிராகரித்ததற்கான காரணத்தை, தலைமை தபால் அலுவலர், எழுத்து மூலம் தெரிவித்துவிடுவார் (பாரம் 4). பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டால், அதற்குரிய சான்றிதழ் (பாரம் 3) வழங்கப்படும். இந்தப் பதிவு, அடுத்த 12 மாதங்களுக்கு மட்டுமே செல்லும். ஒவ்வொரு ஆண்டும் கேபிள் மும்மூர்த்திகள், இப்பதிவுகளை புதுப்பித்துக்கொள்ள வேண்டும்.
மத்திய அரசால் இயற்றப்பட்ட, "கேபிள் டிவி ஒழுங்குமுறைச் சட்டம் 1995' இந்த மூன்று பிரிவினரையும் கட்டுப்படுத்துகிறது. செயற்கைக்கோள் சேனல்களுக்கு உள்ள ஒளிபரப்பு விதிமுறை, விளம்பர கட்டுப்பாடுகள் (முறையான அனுமதி, ஆபாசம், வன்முறை, தேசவிரோதம் உள்ளிட்டவை) உள்ளூர் சேனல்களுக்கும் பொருந்தும். ஒவ்வொரு உள்ளூர் சேனல் நிறுவனமும், தங்கள் சேனலில் என்ன நிகழ்ச்சி, எத்தனை மணிக்கு, எவ்வளவு நேரம், யாரால் வழங்கப்பட்டது என்பது உள்ளிட்ட அத்தனை விவரங்களையும், ஒரு பதிவேட்டில் (பாரம் 5) குறித்து வைக்க வேண்டியது அவசியம். சம்பந்தப்பட்ட நிகழ்ச்சி ஒளிபரப்பாகி ஓராண்டு வரை, அந்த பதிவேடு பாதுகாக்கப்பட வேண்டும்.
கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களைப் பொறுத்தவரை, எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்கள் கொடுக்கும் அத்தனை சேனல்களையும் ஒளிபரப்பிக் கொள்ளலாம். குறைந்தபட்சம், ஏதேனும் இரண்டு தூர்தர்ஷன் சேனல்களையாவது ஒளிபரப்பியே ஆகவேண்டும். கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களின் எந்த செயல்பாடும், இயக்கமும், அதிகாரப்பூர்வ தொலைத் தொடர்பு அமைப்புகளில் குறுக்கிடக் கூடாது. மேற்சொன்ன விதிமுறைகளில் ஏதேனும் குறைபாடுகள் காணப்பட்டால், ஒளிபரப்புக்குரிய பொருட்களையும், சாதனங்களையும் பறிமுதல் செய்ய முடியும். அதற்கான அதிகாரம், மத்திய அரசின், "ஏ' பிரிவு அதிகாரிகளுக்கு மட்டும் தான் இருக்கிறது. பறிமுதல் செய்யப்பட்ட சாதனங்களை, பத்து நாட்களுக்கும் மேலாக அதிகாரியே வைத்திருப்பதானால், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட மாவட்ட நீதிபதியிடம் அனுமதி வாங்க வேண்டும்.
பறிமுதல் செய்வதற்கு முன், அதற்கான காரணத்தை கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டருக்கு விளக்க வேண்டும். ஏன் பறிமுதல் செய்யக் கூடாது என்பதற்கான பதிலை அளிக்க அவருக்கு சந்தர்ப்பம் வழங்க வேண்டும். இருதரப்புக்கும் இடையில் தகராறு என்றால், நீதிமன்ற கதவுகளைத் தட்ட வேண்டியது தான்.
"கேபிள் டிவி ஒழுங்குமுறைச் சட்டம் 1995'ஐ மீறி எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,வோ, ஆபரேட்டரோ, உள்ளூர் சேனலோ செயல்பட்டால், முதல் முறை குற்றத்துக்கு இரண்டாண்டு வரை சிறை தண்டனையோ, ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் அபராதமோ அல்லது இரண்டும் சேர்த்தோ வழங்கப்படலாம். தொடர்ந்து விதி மீறுவதையே தொழிலாகக் கொண்டால், ஐந்தாண்டுகள் வரை சிறைத் தண்டனையோ, 5,000 ரூபாய் அபராதமோ விதிக்கப்படலாம்.
இது தான் கேபிள் தொழிலைப் பற்றிய சட்டத்தின் பார்வை.

கேபிள் "டிவி'யின் கதை : அந்தக் காலத்தில், "டிவி' என்றாலே தூர்தர்ஷன் மட்டும் தான். வெள்ளிக்கிழமை இரவு 7:30 மணிக்கு ஒளிபரப்பப்படும், "ஒளியும் ஒலியும்' (சினிமா பாடல்கள் நிகழ்ச்சி) பார்ப்பதற்கு, பெரிய அடிதடியே நடக்கும். சனிக்கிழமைகளில், மாநில மொழிப் படங்களும், ஞாயிறு மாலைப் பொழுதுகளில் தமிழ்ப் படமும் ஒளிபரப்பினர். அது ஒரு வசந்த காலம். இருபது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன், செயற்கைக்கோள் சேனல்கள் அறிமுகமாகின. அவற்றிடமிருந்து, "டிஷ்' மூலம், சிக்னல்களைப் பெற்று, தத்தம் சத்துக்கு ஏற்றவாறு, கேபிள் இணைப்பு வழியாக, வீடுகளுக்கு வழங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர். இந்த கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர் பணியை, பெரும்பாலும் வேலையில்லா பட்டதாரிகள் தான் மேற்கொண்டனர். சேனல்களின் எண்ணிக்கை அதிகரிக்க அதிகரிக்க, ஒவ்வொரு சேனலுக்கும் ஒரு, "டிஷ்' வைக்க வேண்டியதாயிற்று. கட்டமைப்புப் பணிகளுக்கான செலவும் அதிகரித்தது. இதற்கிடையில், அதுவரை "ஓசி'யில் ஒளிபரப்பிக் கொண்டிருந்த அத்தனை சேனல்களும், தங்களை கட்டணச் சேனல்களாக அறிவித்தன. அவற்றிடமிருந்து பணம் கட்டி சிக்னல் வாங்குவது, சிறிய அளவில் இயங்கிக் கொண்டிருந்த கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களுக்கு இயலாத காரியமாக இருந்தது. அப்போது பிறந்தது தான் எம்.எஸ்.ஓ., அமைப்பு. இவர்கள், இரண்டு மூன்று மாவட்டங்களுக்கு ஒன்று என்ற அடிப்படையில் இயங்கிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பாலானவர்கள், கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களாக இருந்தவர்கள். எனவே, அந்தத் தொழிலையும் தொடர்ந்தனர். எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்களின் வேலை, செயற்கைக்கோள் சேனல்களிடம் பணம் கட்டி, அவற்றை வாங்கி, கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களுக்கு வினியோகிப்பது. சேனல்களுக்கு, எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்கள் எவ்வளவு தர வேண்டும் என்ற கட்டணத்தை, "டிராய்' தான் நிர்ணயிக்கிறது. எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்களிடமிருந்து, "சிக்னல்' பெறும் கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்கள், தங்கள் வசமுள்ள ஒவ்வொரு இணைப்புக்கும் 70 முதல் 80 ரூபாய் வரை கட்டணமாக, எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்களுக்கு கொடுப்பர். எவருமே உண்மையான இணைப்பு எண்ணிக்கையைச் சொல்ல மாட்டர் என்பது சிறப்பம்சம்.

அவசரச் சட்டம் அவசியம் : உள்ளூர் சேனல்களை, பெரும்பாலும் கேபிள் ஆபரேட்டர்களும், எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்களும் தான் இயக்கி வருகின்றனர். சில இடங்களில், எம்.எஸ்.ஓ.,க்களுக்கு பணம் கட்டி, வேலையில்லா பட்டதாரிகள், தொழில் சுகம் கண்டவர்கள், தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் நடத்துவதும் உண்டு. இவ்வாறு தமிழகம் முழுவதும் 250க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சேனல்கள் இருக்கும் என கருதப்படுகிறது.
இவர்கள், சினிமா, பாடல்கள், நகைச்சுவை காட்சி உள்ளிட்டவற்றை ஒளிபரப்புகின்றனர். சில முன்னேறிய உள்ளூர் சேனல்கள், நேயர் விருப்பம், தொலைபேசி உரையாடல் போன்ற நிகழ்ச்சிகளை, நேரலையாகவே ஒளிபரப்பவும் செய்கின்றனர். இவர்களில் யாருக்கும், சினிமா காட்சிகளை ஒளிபரப்புவதற்கான உரிமை கிடையாது. ஆனால், அத்தகைய உரிமைகளை வைத்துள்ள செயற்கைக்கோள் சேனல்களிடம் இருந்து, உள்குத்தகைக்கு வாங்கி, அவற்றை ஒளிபரப்புவர். இதற்கு, மாதந்தோறும் குறிப்பிட்ட தொகையை அவர்கள், தனி கட்டணமாக செலுத்த வேண்டும். இப்படி ஒரு சேனல் நடத்துவதற்கு, தபால் அலுவலகச் சான்றிதழ் தவிர வேறு எந்த அனுமதியும் தேவையில்லை என்பது மிகப் பெரிய சோகம். உள்ளூர் சேனல்களில், செய்தி ஒளிபரப்புவதற்கு அனுமதி இல்லை என்பது அடுத்த விஷயம். அவர்கள் வாங்கும் விளம்பரங்களுக்கு முறையாக கணக்கு காட்டுவதில்லை என்பது தனி கதை. இத்தனையும் மீறி, உள்ளூர் சேனல்கள் இயங்கிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. ஒரு செயற்கைக்கோள் சேனல் துவங்க வேண்டும் என்றால், அதைத் தொடங்க விரும்புவர்களின் ஜாதகத்தையே கேட்கிறது மத்திய அரசு. மத்திய அரசின் ஐந்து துறைகள், இதற்கான அனுமதி வழங்குவதில் தொடர்புடையதாக இருக்கின்றன.

அவ்வளவு ஏன்? எப்.எம்., ரேடியோக்களில் செய்தி ஒலிபரப்புவதற்கு கூட, ஆயிரத்தெட்டு நடைமுறைகள் இருக்கின்றன. ஆனால், எந்தச் சம்பிரதாயமும் இல்லாமல், சாதாரணமாகச் செயல்பட்டுக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன உள்ளூர் சேனல்கள். இவர்கள் செய்தி ஒளிபரப்பும்போது, அதில், தங்கள் எண்ணத்தைத் திணிக்கும் வாய்ப்பும், ஒரு சாராருக்கு சாதகமாக செயல்படும் வாய்ப்பும் அதிகம். கலவர சமயங்களில், இரண்டு வார்த்தை தப்பாக ஒளிபரப்பிவிட்டால், பிரச்னை பற்றி எரிவதற்கு, அதுவே காரணமாகிவிட முடியும். ஆனால், இதை எல்லாம் கண்காணிக்க எந்த அமைப்புமே இல்லை என்பது தான் அதிர்ச்சிக்குரிய உண்மை. பத்திரிகைகளை வழிநடத்த, "பிரஸ் கவுன்சில்' இருக்கிறது. ஆனால், உள்ளூர் கேபிள் சேனல்களை வழிநடத்த, கவுன்சிலர்கள் கூட இல்லை.
இதைக் கட்டுப்படுத்த, மாநில அரசின் தலையீடு, அவசர அவசியமாக இருக்கிறது. மத்திய அரசின் சட்ட திட்டங்களுக்கு குந்தகம் விளைவிக்காத வகையில், மாநில அரசின் அதிகாரத்தை நிலைநாட்டும் வகையில், உள்ளூர் கேபிள் சேனல்களை நெறிப்படுத்த, ஒரு சட்டம் அவசியம்.

மின் நுகர்வோர், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட குறைதீர் மன்றத்தை மட்டுமே அணுக வேண்டும்'

"தவறான மின் கட்டண கணக்கெடுப்பு உள்ளிட்ட சேவைகள் தொடர்பான குறைகளுக்கு, மின் நுகர்வோர், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட குறைதீர் மன்றத்தை மட்டுமே அணுக வேண்டும்' என, தமிழ்நாடு மின்சார ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையத்தின் செயலர், குணசேகரன் விடுத்துள்ள அறிக்கையில் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

அவரது அறிக்கை:

தமிழ்நாடு மின்சார ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையத்திற்கு, மின் நுகர்வோரிடம் இருந்து, தவறான மின் கட்டண கணக்கெடுப்பு, புதிய மின் இணைப்பு வழங்குவதில் காலதாமதம், குறைபாடுடைய மின்சார மீட்டர், குறைபாடான மின் வழங்கல் போன்ற பல்வேறு குறைபாடுகள் குறித்து, அதிக எண்ணிக்கையில் கடிதங்கள் வருகின்றன. ஆனால், தமிழ்நாடு மின்சார ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையம், இத்தகைய பொருட்கள் குறித்து, நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க முடியாது.

எனவே, மின் நுகர்வோர், அத்தகைய முறையீடுகளை, ஆணையத்திற்கு அனுப்ப வேண்டாம். அந்த மனுக்களை, வட்டார மின்சார அலுவலகத்தில் உள்ள, மின் நுகர்வோர் குறைதீர் மன்றத்திற்கு அனுப்பும்படி, கேட்டுக் கொள்ளப்படுகின்றனர்.

ஒவ்வொரு மின் வட்டத்திலும், மின் வட்டத்தின் மேற்பார்வை பொறியாளரை தலைவராகக் கொண்ட, மின் நுகர்வோர் குறைதீர் மையம் செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது. இதில், இரண்டு அலுவல் சாராத உறுப்பினர், மாவட்ட கலெக்டரால் நியமிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளனர். தமிழ்நாடு மின் உற்பத்தி மற்றும் பகிர்மான கழகத்தின், சேவை தொடர்பான குறைகளுக்கு, மின் நுகர்வோர், சம்பந்தப்பட்ட மின் நுகர்வோருக்கான குறைதீர் மன்றத்தை அணுகலாம். அத்தகைய மனுவை பெற்றதற்கான, ஒப்புகை அந்த மன்றத்தில் இருந்து, ஏழு பணி நாட்களுக்குள் வழங்க வேண்டும். குறைதீர் மன்றம், இரண்டு மாதங்களுக்குள் மனுக்கள் மீதான ஆணைகளை பிறப்பித்தல் வேண்டும்.

முறையீட்டாளர் மன்றத்தின் தீர்ப்பில், திருப்தியடையவில்லை என்றால் அல்லது முறையீடு தாக்கல் செய்த, இரண்டு நாளில் இருந்து, இரண்டு மாதங்களுக்குள் பதிலுரை எதையும் பெறவில்லை என்றால், சென்னையில் உள்ள மின்சார ஒழுங்குமுறை ஆணையத்தின் அலுவலகத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள, மின்குறை தீர்ப்பாளருக்கு மேல்முறையீடு செய்யலாம். இவ்வாறு, அதில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA. EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)

Government of India

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

New Delhi, the 31^st May, 2005.

NOTIFICATION

G.S.R. 342(E). - In exercise of the powers conferred by section 30A of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986), the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission with the previous approval of the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations, namely:-

1. Short title and commencement.-(1 ) These regulations may be called the Consumer Protection Regulations, 2005.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.- In these regulations unless the context otherwise requires,-

(a) "Act" means the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986);

(b) "Consumer Forum" means a District Forum. a Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission established in a State under clause (b) of section 9 (hereafter called the State Commission) or the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission;

(c) "Registrar" means the head of the ministerial establishment of the Consumer Forum and exercising such powers and functions as are conferred upon him by the President of the Consumer Forum:

(d) "rules" means the rules made under the Act;

(e) "section" means a section of the Act:

(f) words and expressions used in these regulations and not defined herein but defined either in the Act or in the rules shall have the same meaning respectively assigned to them either in the Act or in the rules, as the case may be.

3. Arrangements in Consumer Forum,--(1 ) A Consumer Forum, being not a regular court, shall have the arrangements as to depict it distinct from a court.

(2) In the hall in which the Consumer Forum shall hear the parties, the dais may not be kept more than 30c.m. in height than the place earmarked for the parties to occupy.

(3) At the dais of the hall, the President and the members of the Consumer Forum shall use the same type of chairs at the same level and these chairs need not have high backs.

4. Dress code.-(1 ) The President and members of every Consumer Forum while presiding over the Benches,-

(a) shall wear simple and sober dress;

(b) shall not wear-

(i) flashy dress or dress display any affluence;

(ii) Jeans or T-shirts.

(iii) as if they are holding Courts as Judges of a High Court or a District Court.

(2) The advocates shall be allowed to appear in the usual dress as prescribed by the High

Court but without the gown.

5. Hearing hours.-Subject to the provisions of the rules, the normal working hours of the Consumer Forum for hearing matters shall be from 10.30 am to 1.00 p.m and 2.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m on all working days of the Central Government in the case of the National Commission and on all working days of the State Government in the case of the State Commission and the District Forum

6. Cause List.-(1 ) Cause list of the Consumer forum for the following entire week shall be made ready before the close of the working hours of the preceding week and displayed on the notice board. The cause list in respect of a Consumer Forum having a website shall also be hosted on the website.

(2) Cause list shall be split into three different parts, namely:-

(i) Admission and after notice matters;

(ii) Matters where evidence is to be recorded;

(iii) Final disposal matters.

(3) Every cause list shall contain the following particulars, namely:-

(1) Sl. No. (2) No. of the matter (3) Names of the parties (4) Name of the party or

Counsel or agent

appearing

(4) If a date of hearing is given in the presence of parties or their agents, it shall not be a ground for non-appearance for the reason that the cause list for the concerned date does not show the matter or contains incorrect entry or there is omission of the particulars of the matter.

7. Institution of complaints, appeals and revision petitions.-(1 ) Where a complaint is filed in District Forum or State Commission it shall be filed in three sets and where it is filed in the National Commission it shall be filed in four sets with additional sets equal to the number of opposite party(ies)/respondent(s).

(2) Every complaint shall clearly contain particulars of dispute and the relief claimed and shall also be accompanied by copies of such documents as are necessary to prove the claim made in the complaint.

8. Nomenclature to be given to the complaints, appeals and revisions petitions. -( 1 ) A complaint shall hereinafter be referred to as Consumer Complaint (C.C.) instead of O.P., e.g., C.C. No.2 of 2005.

(2) An appeal shall be referred to as F.A., Revision Petition as R.P., Execution .Application as E.A, Transfer Application T.A. and Review as RA containing the number and the year of filing.

9. Scrutiny of complaint, appeal, petition and revision petition.-(1 ) Every complaint, appeal, or revision petition shall after it is filed be numbered by the Registrar.

(2) If there is any defect in the filing of the complaint, appeal or revision petition, the particulars of such defects shall be recorded and the party or his agents shall be informed of the defects asking them for removing the defects within 15 days.

(3) In case the party disputes in the correctness of the defects pointed out the matter shall be placed before the Consumer Forum for appropriate orders.

(4) After the expiry of the time given, the matter shall, irrespective of the fact as to whether the defects have been removed or not, be placed before the Consumer Forum for appropriate orders.

(5) If the objections raised by the Registrar are substantial and are not removed within the time allowed for the purpose, those days shall not be excluded for counting the period of limitation.

(6) As required by the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 12, the admissibility of the complaint shall ordinarily be decided within twenty-one days from the date on which the complaint was received.

(7) In case any defect is pointed out by the Registrar, twenty-one days from the date on which such defect was removed shall be reckoned for the purpose of sub-regulation (5).

(8) All pending complaints, appeals and revision petitions which have not come up for admission till the date of commencement of these regulations and are pending for admission for more than 21 days shall be listed immediately by the Consumer Forum for admission and not later than 21 days from the date of commencement of these regulations.

10. Issue of notice.-(1 ) Whenever the Consumer Forum directs the issuance of a notice in respect of a complaint, appeal or revision petition, as the case may be, to the opposite party(ies)/respondent(s), ordinarily such notice shall be issued for a period of 30 days and depending upon the circumstances of each case even for less than 30 days.

(2) When there is a question of raising presumption of service, 30 days notice shall be required.

(3) Whenever notices are sought to be effected by a courier service, it shall be ascertained that the courier is of repute.

(4) While appointing the courier for the purpose of effecting service, security deposit may also be taken.

(5) Along with the notice, copies of the complaint, memorandum of grounds of appeal, petitions as the case may be and other documents filed shall be served upon the opposite party(ies )/respondent( s).

(6) After the opposite party or respondent has put in appearance, no application or document shall be received by the Registrar unless it bears an endorsement that a copy thereof has been served upon the other side.

11. Adjournment.-(1 ) Every proceeding before a Consumer Forum shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible and as per the requirements of the Act.

(2) The Consumer Forum shall record the reasons for any adjournment made by it.

(3) The cost of adjournment, if asked by the opposite party or parties, shall not be less than five hundred rupees per adjournment and could be more depending upon the value and nature of the complaint as may be decided by the Consumer Forum.

(4). The complainant, appellant or petitioner, as the case may be, may also be burdened with cost unless sufficient cause is shown for seeking adjournment:

Provided that in the circumstances of a particular case, the amount of cost imposed may be less than five hundred rupees but in no case less than one hundred rupees.

(5) The cost imposed may be given to the other party or parties to defray his or their expenses or be deposited in the Consumer Legal Aid Account to be maintained by the respective Consumer Forum, as the Consumer Forum may order.

(6) If any adjournment is granted without awarding cost, the order sheet shall mention the reasons thereof.

(7) All orders adjourning the matter shall be signed by the President and members constituting the Bench and not by the Court Master or Bench Clerk.

(8) Non-availability of a lawyer who is representing the party shall not be a ground for seeking adjournment of the matter unless absence is beyond the control of the lawyer such as his sudden illness or bereavement in the family.

12. Hearing by Benches.-Where a Bench, constituted by the President of the State Commission or the National Commission as provided under section 16 or section 20, as the case may be, does not have a member with judicial background and any complex question of law arises and there is no precedent to decide the law point, the Bench so constituted may refer the matter to the President of the State Commission or the National Commission as the case may be to constitute another Bench of which the President shall be a member.

13. Arguments.-(1 ) Arguments should be as brief as possible and to the point at issue.

(2) Where a party is represented by a counsel, it shall be mandatory to file a brief of written arguments two days before the matter is fixed for arguments.

(3) In case of default to file briefs, the cost shall be imposed at the same rates as laid down for grant of adjournments.

14. Limitation.-(1 ) Subject to the provisions of sections 15, 19 and 24A, the period of limitation in the following matters shall be as follows:-

(i) Revision Petition shall be filed within 90 days from the date of the order or the date of receipt of the order as the case may be;

(ii) Application for setting aside the ex-parte order under section 22A or dismissal of the complaint in default shall be maintainable if filed within thirty days from the date of the order or date of receipt of the order, as the case may be;

(iii) An application for review under sub-section (2) of section 22 shall be filed to the National Commission within 30 days from the date of the order or receipt of the order, as the case may be;

(iv) The period of limitation for filing any application for which no period of limitation has been specified in the Act, the rules of these regulations shall be thirty days from the date of the cause of action or the date of knowledge.

(2) Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Consumer Forum may condone the delay in filing an application or a petition referred to in sub-regulation (1) if valid and sufficient reasons to its satisfaction are given.

15. Review.-(1 ) It shall set out clearly the grounds for review.

(2) Unless otherwise ordered by the National Commission, an application for review shall be disposed of by circulation without oral arguments, as far as practicable between the same members who had delivered the order sought to be reviewed.

16. Appearance of Voluntary Consumer Organisations.-(1) Recognised Consumer Organisations have a right of audience before the Consumer Forum

(2) An authorisation of a Voluntary Consumer Organisation may be by way of special power of attorney executed on a non-judicial paper or even on plain paper duly attested by a Gazetted Officer or a Notary Public.

(3) The Power of Attorney holder shall be entitled to engage a counsel, if authorised to do so.

(4) A Voluntary Consumer Organisation can engage a counsel or an advocate of its choice or it can itself represent through one of its office bearers as per the rules governing it.

(5) In case of a complaint where the Voluntary Consumer Organisation is a complainant along with the consumer himself and the dispute affects the complainant individually, he can withdraw the complaint:

Provided that if the issue involves unfair trade practice or restrictive trade practice a Voluntary ConsumerOrganisation may continue to proceed with the complaint even if the complainant wishes to withdraw the same.

(6) A Consumer Forum has to guard itself from touts and busybodies in the garb of power of attorney holders orauthorised agents in the proceedings before it.

(7) While a Consumer Forum may permit an authorised agent to appear before it, but authorised agent shall not be one who has used this as a profession:

Provided that this sub-regulation shall not apply in case of advocates.

(8) An authorised agent may be debarred from appearing before a Consumer Forum if he is found guilty of misconduct or any other malpractice at any time.

17. Ex-parte interim order.-Any ex-parte interim order issued by the Consumer Forum shall stand vacated after 45 days if in the meanwhile the objections to the interim order are not heard and disposed of.

18. Final order.-(1) An order on the top right hand comer shall show as to when the complaint was filed and the date of the order.

(2) The cause title of the order shall contain the names of all the parties with their addresses.

(3) In the body of the order it is desirable that after mentioning the complainant or the opposite party, their names as shown in the title be mentioned and parties thereafter may not be mentioned as complainant or opposite party No.1 or opposite party No.2, etc.

(4) The cause title shall also clearly show if the appellant or respondent was the complainant or opposite party.

(5) The order of a Consumer Forum disposing of a matter shall be as short and precise as practicable and unnecessary long quotations from the judgments of the higher courts or otherwise shall be avoided.

(6) When a copy of the order is sent to a party, the mode by which it is sent and the date on which it is sent shall be stamped on the last page of the order.

(7) The Consumer Forum shall pass final order invariably within fifteen days of the conclusion of the arguments.

19. Return on institution and disposal of cases.-( 1) A Consumer Forum is expected to dispose of at least 75 to 100 matters every month.

(2) A periodic monthly return of institution and disposal of cases shall be sent by the District Forums to the State Commission.

(3) The State Commission shall submit a periodic monthly return of institution and disposal of cases to the National Commission.

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this regulation, the President of the National Commission may, at any time, call for any return or information relating to its functioning from a State Commission or District Forums.

20. Preservation of records. -( 1 ) In the case of complaint, the record containing main files with original order sheet shall be preserved for a period five years.

(2) In the case of records of first appeal and revision petitions, it shall be preserved for three years from the date of disposal of the appeal or revision as the case may be.

(3) Immediately after the consumer complaint, first appeal or revision petition, as the case may be, is disposed of, extra sets shall be given to the parties who may use the same for filing of appeal or revision petition and in that case the necessity to summon the record from the forums below can be dispensed with.

(4) The Registrar shall inform the parties while forwarding the certified copy of the final order, where they do not appear in person at the time of finally disposing of the matter to arrange to collect the extra sets.

(5) A period of at least one month shall be given for the purpose of collection of records by the party and in case of default the ex1ra sets shall be weeded out.

21. Certified copy.-(l) A copy of the order is to be given to the parties free of cost as required under the Act and the rules made thereunder.

(2) In case a party requires an extra copy, it shall be issued to him duly certified by the Registry on a payment of Rs.20/- irrespective of number of pages.

(3) A certified copy of an order shall clearly specify the date when free copy was issued, date of application, date when the copy was made ready and the date when it was so delivered to him.

(4) A fee of Rs.20/- shall be paid for obtaining another certified copy.

(5) Any party desiring to get a certified copy of any document on the file of the Consumer Forum, may get the same on payment of certification fee of twenty rupees per copy. Provided that if any such document of which certified copy is sought, is over and above 5 pages, an extra amount of one rupee per page shall be charged over and above the fee of twenty rupees.

(6) Certified copy of any miscellaneous order passed by the Consumer Forum shall be supplied on payment of Rs.5 per copy.

22. Inspection of records.-Parties or their agents can inspect the records of any matter by filing an application on payment often rupees as fee.

23. Filing of criminal complaint.-Wherever a complaint is required to be filed by the Consumer Forum under sub-section (5) of section 13, the Consumer Forum may authorise its Registrar to file the complaint.

24. Practice Directions.- The National Commission shall be entitled to issue practice directions from time to time as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the cases before Consumer Forum including prescribing forms for complaints, notices, returns, certificate to be issued to the collector and the like.

25. Parcsha Yad-dast.- Where a party appears in person and is illiterate, the Court Master or Bench Clerk shall give to that party the next date of hearing in writing.

26. Miscellaneous.-(1 ) In all proceedings before the Consumer Forum, endeavour shall be made by the parties and their counsel to avoid the use of provisions of Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908):

Provided that the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 may be applied which have been referred to in the Act or in the rules made thereunder.

(2) Every State Commission and every District Forum shall take steps for its computerisation and networking.

(3) The Consumer Forum shall give proper respect and courtesy to the parties who appear in person and shall provide separate accommodation in the Hall for the convenience of the parties.

(4) The Consumer Forum shall not insist upon the parties to engage advocates.

(5) The Fees collected for inspection of the documents and supply of certified copies shall be deposited in the account maintained for the purpose of depositing fee for filing a complaint as prescribed by the Central Government by rules.

(6) The cases filed by or against the senior citizens, physically challenged, widows and persons suffering from serious ailments shall be listed and disposed of on a priority basis.

[ F.No.A-105/NCDRC/2005 ]

( B.V. SHARMA )

Joint Registrar