(Agency) New Delhi, The Government of India has initiated an exercise to resolve consumer dispute complaints legally through reciprocal communication apart from consumer forums. The Government of India plans to set up a moderation center in each of the states of the country for this purpose.
For the first time in the country, a mediation center will be opened for resolving disputes related to consumer protection law. At present, mediation centers are already available in the country for resolving civil as well as other legal disputes. But for the first time, it will open up to consumers.
It is pertinent to mention that under the provisions of Indian Consumer Protection Act 2017, it is mandatory to resolve any consumer protection law within 3 months. Due to some vacancies in various state consumer commissions as well as heaps of cases, it takes up to 1 year to resolve such complaints.
To address delays in redressal of consumer related grievances, the Ministries of Consumer Affairs have planned to set up one arbitration center in each of the states in addition to the Consumer Commission. So that in such cases of violation of the Consumer Protection Act in which it is possible to resolve the dispute through communication.
This can be prevented through moderation center. The central government plans to set up one arbitration center at the district level across the country after setting up one arbitration center in each of the state consumer panchayats. In this regard, the Central Government has written to the Chief Secretaries of each of the States seeking their suggestions.
These suggestions are solicited. So that the establishment of moderation centers can be informed if any state is in trouble.