The West Bengal Government is forming a five-member advisory committee for consumer protection with fresh terms of reference that would include new areas like e-commerce and medicines.
Sadhan Pande, West Bengal Minister of Consumer Affairs, said on Saturday that the proposed panel would have expert representative from IIM Calcutta and IIT Kharagpur.
At a FICCI-organised function on the eve of World Consumer Rights Day, the Minister said the advisory panel would help the government in reformulation of guidelines for consumer protection.
The Centre has already prepared draft amendments to Consumer Protection Act of 1986. “However, since the consumers protection issues are part of the State subjects, the State Government has taken a proactive step for the forthcoming changes in the legal framework,” he said.
The Minister also mentioned that State has planned to file a special leave petition before the Supreme Court seeking direction on civil court’s interference in consumer courts’ justice delivery.
The State Government would also implement “right to public services” through the department. The State Consumers Affairs Department was in the process of setting up a ‘commission’ for redressal of grievances regarding public services rendered by the different government departments as well as civic bodies.