of 1897. — THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019

10 of 1897. xxxGIDHxxx xxxGIDExxx -.-16072 xxxGIDHxxx xxxGIDExxx ..-..-.-16072020-220546 CG-DL-E-16072020-220546 EXTRAORDINARY II — 3 — —- (ii) PART II — Section 3 — Sub -section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY . 2074] , , 15, 2020/ 24, 1942 No. 2074] NEW DELHI , WEDNESDAY , JULY 15, 2020/ASHADHA 24, 1942 , ( ) , 15 , 2020 . . 2351().— , , 2019 (2019 35) 1 (3) , 20 , 2020 , : - VIII - 95, 98, 100, - 101 [- 2 () () (), () () ] - 102, 103, 105, 106, 107 [ 94 , 96, 97, 99, 104 ] [ . . -9/1/2020 -] , MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (Department of Consumer Affairs) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 15th July, 2020 S.O. 2351(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019), the Central Government hereby appoints the 20th day of July, 2020 as the date on which the following provisions of the said Act shall come into force, namely:- [F. No. J-9/1/2020-CPU] AMIT MEHTA, Jt . Secy . xxxGIDHxxx xxxGIDExxx -.-16072 xxxGIDExxx ..-..-.-16072020-220555 CG-DL-E-16072020-220555 EXTRAORDINARY II — 3 — - (i) PART II — Section 3 — Sub -section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY , , 15, 2020/ 24, 1942 NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY , JULY 15, 2020/ASHADHA 24, 1942 , ( ) , 15 , 2020 . . . 448().— , , 2019 ( 2019 35) 101 - (1) - (2) (), (), (), (), (), (), (), (), ( ), ( ) ( ) , 1987 , , , , : - – (1) ( ) , 2020 20 , 2020 – – (1) , , - () ' ' , 2019 (2019 35) ; () ' ' , , , ; . 345] No. 345] () ' ' , , , , ; () ' ' , , , ; () ' ' , , 2017 (2017 12) 57 ; () ' ' ; () ' ' ( ) , 1970 (1970 5) ( ) , 1980 (1980 40) ; () ' ' ; () ' ' , , , ; () ' ' ; () ' ' ; () ' ' , , – – – , , , – (1) , , , , , : – () ; () ; () ; () , , – (1) 35 - (1) 47 - (1) () - (i) (ii) 58 - (1) () - (i) (ii) , , , , , , , , , - (1) , , – , - , – – (1) , , , – () , , , () () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , – (1) , 49 - (1) 59 - (1) 39 - (1) () , , , , , (1) , 2017 97 - (1) , 2017 – (1) - (1) - , , , , 41 , , , , () , , , () , , , , : - - , : : , – (1) , , : – – () , ; () , , , , ; () ; () ; () - (1) 7 , , 37 38 , , () , , , () , , , , , , – – () , ; () - (5) , , , 39 - (1) , 67 , , , – 51 , , , , , , – (1) - (1) - , , 16 , , , , 51 , , , , () , , , () , , , , : - - , : : - , , : , – , , – (1) , , , – 67 , , , , , – I I [ 18] ( ) / : : [. . -10/6/2018 -] , MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS) NOTIFICATION New Delhi , the 15 July, 2020 G.S . R . 448(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (a), (p), (q), (s), (u), (v), (y), (z), (zd), (ze), and (zj) of sub-section (2) of section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019) and in supersession of the Consumer Protection Rules, 1987 in so far as they relate to matters covered under these rules, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:- Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020. They shall come into force on the 20 th day of July,2020. Definitions . — (1) ln these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) 'Act' means the Consumer Protection Act 2019 (35 of 2019); (b) 'appellant' means a person who makes an appeal against the order of the National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be; (c) 'authorised agent' means a person duly authorised by a party to present any complaint, appeal or reply on behalf of such party before the National Commission, the State Commission, or the District Commission, as the case may be; (d) 'Commission' means the District Commission, the State Commission, or the National Commission, as the case may be; (e) 'Consumer Welfare Fund' means the Consumer Welfare Fund established by a State Government or, as the case may be, by the Central Government under section 57 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017) ; (f) 'memorandum' means any memorandum of appeal filed by the appellant; (g) 'nationalised bank' means a corresponding new bank specified in the First Schedule to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 (5 of 1970) or a corresponding new bank specified in the First Schedule to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980 (40 of 1980); (h) 'opposite party' means a person who answers a complaint under the Act; (i) 'President' means the President of the National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be; (j) 'respondent' means the person who answers any memorandum of appeal; (k) "section" means a section of the Act; (l) 'State' includes a Union territory; The words and expressions used herein, but not defined and defined in the Act shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Act. Working days and office hours of National Commission . — The working days and office hours of the National Commission shall be the same as that of the Central Government. Seal and emblem. — The official seal and emblem of the National Commission shall be such as the Central Government may specify. Sitting of National Commission. — The President of the National Commission shall convene sittings of the National Commission as and when it may be necessary, and such sittings shall be notified by the National Commission. Manner of authentication of goods by National Commission for analysis and testing . -(1)The National Commission may direct the complainant to provide one or more than one sample of the goods in clean containers with stopper properly fixed on them for the purposes of testing or analysis. On receiving the samples of such goods, the National Commission shall seal it and fix labels on the containers carrying the following information, namely:- (a) the name and address of the appropriate laboratory to whom sample shall be sent for analysis and test; (b) the name and address of the National Commission; (c) the case number; and (d) the official seal of the National Commission. The sealed sample shall be sent to the recognised laboratory by the National Commission. The recognized laboratory shall, after receiving sealed sample and examining it, shall forward its report to the National Commission within forty-five days or within such extended time as may be granted by the National Commission, specifying the nature of the defect and date of submission of report. Fee for making complaints. – (1) Every complaint filed under sub-section (1) of section 35 or under sub -clauses (i) and (ii) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 47 or under sub-clauses (i) and (ii) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 58 shall be accompanied by a fee, as specified in the table given below, in the form of crossed Demand Draft drawn on a nationalised bank or through a crossed Indian Postal Order in favour of the President of the District Commission or the Registrar of the State Commission or the Registrar of the National Commission, as the case may be, and payable at the respective place where the District Commission, State Commission or the National Commission is situated, or through electronic mode as per arrangement made by the Commission concerned. (2) The District Commission or the State Commission, as the case may be, shall credit the amount of fee received by it under sub-rule (1) to the Consumer Welfare Fund of the State and where such Consumer Welfare Fund is not established, into the appropriate account of the State Government, and the National Commission shall credit such amount of fee received by it to the Consumer Welfare Fund of the Central Government. Table Manner of filing complaints electronically. —The electronic filing of complaints in National Commission, State Commission and District Commission shall be effective from such date and for such category of cases as may be notified by the President of the National Commission from time to time. Additional powers of National Commission, State Commission and District Commission: --(1) The National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be, shall have power to require any person, — (a) to produce before it such book, account, document or commodity which is in the custody or under the control of such person, if it is required for the purposes of any proceedings before it, and allow the same to be examined and kept by such officer of the Commission as it may specify in this behalf; (b) to furnish to the officer specified in clause(a), such information as may be required for the purposes of any proceedings before it. (2) Where during any proceedings under this Act, the National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be, has any ground to believe that any book, paper, commodity or document which may be required to be produced in such proceedings, are being or may be, destroyed, mutilated, altered, falsified or secreted, it may, by written order, authorise any officer to exercise the power of entry and search of any premises, and seizure of any book, paper, document or commodity as may be required for the purposes of such proceeding. Provided that such seizure shall be communicated to the National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be, as soon as it is made or within a period not exceeding seventy-two hours of making such seizure after specifying the reasons in writing for making such seizure. The National Commission, the State Commission or the District Commission, as the case may be, on examination of such seized documents or commodities may order the retention thereof or may return it to the party concerned. Credit of amount payable for loss or injury suffered by consumers who are not identifiable conveniently. –(1)Where an order is passed under clause (k) of sub-section (1) of section 39 by the District Commission, or the State Commission, or the National Commission, in the exercise of its powers vested under subsection (1) of section 49 respectively or sub-section (1) of section 59, directing the opposite party to pay such amount as may be determined by it on account of loss or injury suffered by a large number of consumers, who are not identifiable conveniently, such sum shall be credited by the District Commission and the State Commission in the Consumer Welfare Fund established by the State Government, and by the National Commission in the Consumer Welfare Fund established by the Central Government. The amount credited to the Consumer Welfare Fund of the Central Government under sub-rule (1) shall be utilised in accordance with rule 97 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 and the amount credited to the Consumer Welfare Fund of the State Government under sub -rule (1) shall be utilised in accordance with the rules framed under the State Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017. Procedure for filing and hearing of appeal before State Commission.- (1) A Memorandum shall be presented by the appellant or his authorized agent to the State Commission in person or sent by a registered post with acknowledgment due addressed to the State Commission. Every memorandum filed under sub-rule (1) shall preferably be typed, or be in legible handwriting, and shall set forth concisely under distinct heads, the grounds of appeal without any argument or narrative and such grounds shall be numbered consecutively. Each memorandum shall be accompanied by the certified copy of the order of the District Commission appealed against and such of the documents, as may be required to support grounds of appeal mentioned in the memorandum. When the appeal is presented after the expiry of the period of limitation as specified in section 41, the memorandum shall be accompanied by an application supported by an affidavit setting forth the facts on which appellant relies upon to satisfy the State Commission that he has sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of limitation. The appellant shall submit four copies of the memorandum to the State Commission for official purposes. On the date of hearing or any other day to which hearing may be adjourned, the parties or their authorised agents shall appear before the State Commission, and where (a) the appellant or his authorised agent fails to appear, State Commission may, in its discretion, either dismiss the appeal or decide it ex-parte on the merits of the case; (b) the respondent or his authorised agent fails to appear, the State Commission shall proceed ex-parte and decide the appeal on the merits of the case. The appellant shall not, except by the leave of the State Commission, urge or be heard in support of any ground of appeal not set forth in the memorandum, but the State Commission in deciding the appeal, need not confine itself to the grounds of appeal set forth in the memorandum or taken by leave of the State Commission under this rule: Provided that the State Commission shall not rest its decision on any other grounds unless the party who may be affected thereby, has been given, at least the opportunity of being heard by the State Commission. No adjournment shall ordinarily be granted at any stage by the State Commission, unless sufficient cause is shown and the reasons for grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the State Commission: Provided that the State Commission shall not ordinarily grant more than one adjournment and shall ensure, as far as possible, that the appeal is decided within ninety days from the date of admission: Provided further that in the event of an appeal being disposed of after the period specified in the first proviso, the State Commission shall record in writing the reasons for the same at the time of disposal of the said appeal. The order of the State Commission on appeal shall be signed and dated by the members of the State Commission constituting the Bench and shall be communicated to the parties concerned free of cost. Procedure in respect of complaints before National Commission . — (1) A complaint shall be presented to the National Commission by the complainant in person or by his agent, or be sent by a registered post, addressed to that Commission, containing the following particulars, namely:- (a) the name, description and the address of the complainant; (b) the name, description and address of the opposite party or parties, as the case may be, so far as they can be ascertained; (c) the facts relating to the complaint and when and where it arose; (d) the documents in support of the allegations contained in the complaint; (e) the relief which the complainant claims. Every complaint under sub-rule (1) shall be accompanied by a fee as specified in rule 7. The National Commission shall, while disposing of any complaint before it, follow the procedure and conditions provided under sections 37 and 38, with such modifications as may be considered necessary by it. On the date of hearing or any other date to which hearing may be adjourned, the parties or their authorised agents shall appear before the National Commission, and where- (a) the appellant or his authorised agent fails to appear, the National Commission may, in its discretion, either dismiss the complaint for default or decide it on merits; (b) the respondent or his authorised agent fails to appear, the National Commission may decide the complaint ex-parte on the merits of the case. The National Commission may, on such terms as it deems fit and at any stage of the proceedings, adjourn the hearing of the complaint, but the complaint shall be decided as far as possible within a period of- (a) three months from the date of notice received by the opposite party where such complaint does not require any analysis or testing of commodities; and (b) five months if such complaint requires analysis or testing. In the event of a complaint being disposed of after the period specified in sub-rule (5), the National Commission shall record in writing, the reasons for such delay. If after conducting the proceedings, the National Commission is satisfied with the allegations contained in the complaint, it shall issue order to the opposite party or parties, as the case may be, directing him or them to take one or more of the actions mentioned in sub -section (1) of section 39. The National Commission shall also have the power to direct that any order passed by it, where no appeal has been preferred under section 67 or where the order of the National Commission has been affirmed by the Supreme Court under that section, be published on its website or through any other media and no legal proceedings shall lie against the National Commission or any media for such publication. The State Commission and the District Commission shall follow the procedure specified in this rule, with such modifications as may be necessary, in respect of the complaint before them. 13. Appeals before National Commission . – Where an appeal is filed under section 51, the amount to be deposited by the appellant as provided in the second proviso to the said section shall be remitted in the form of a crossed Demand Draft drawn on a nationalised bank in favour of the Registrar, National Commission, payable at New Delhi. 14. Procedure for filing and hearing of appeal before National Commission-(1) A Memorandum shall be presented by the appellant or his authorised agent to the National Commission in person or sent by registered post addressed to the National Commission. Every memorandum filed under sub-rule (1) shall preferably be typed, or be in legible handwriting, and shall set forth concisely under distinct heads, the grounds of appeal without any argument or narrative and such grounds shall be numbered consecutively. The memorandum shall be accompanied by a crossed Demand Draft as specified in rule 16, a certified copy of the order of the State Commission appealed against and such of the documents as may be required to support grounds of appeal mentioned in the memorandum. When the appeal is presented after the expiry of the period of limitation as specified in section 51, the memorandum shall be accompanied by an application supported by an affidavit setting forth the facts on which the appellant relies upon to satisfy the National Commission that he has sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the period of limitation. The appellant shall submit four copies of the memorandum to the National Commission for official purposes. On the date of hearing or on any other day to which hearing may be adjourned, the parties or their authorised agents shall appear before the National Commission, and where- (a) the appellant or his authorised agent fails to appear, the National Commission may, in its discretion, either dismiss the appeal or decide it ex-parte on the merits of the case; (b) the respondent or his authorised agent fails to appear, the National Commission shall proceed ex-parte and shall decide the appeal on the merits of the case. (7) The appellant shall not, except by the leave of the National Commission, urge or be heard in support of any ground of appeal not set forth in the memorandum but the National Commission, in deciding the appeal, may not be confined to the grounds of appeal set forth in the memorandum or taken by leave of the National Commission under this rule: Provided that the National Commission shall not rest its decision on any other grounds unless the party who may be affected thereby, has been given, at least the opportunity of being heard by the National Commission. No adjournment shall ordinarily be granted at any stage by the National Commission, unless sufficient cause is shown and the reasons for grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the National Commission: Provided that the National Commission may also adjourn the hearing of the appeal suo motu, on such terms as it may think fit and at any stage of the proceedings for reasons to be recorded in writing, but shall ensure, as far as possible, that the appeal is decided within ninety days from the date of its admission: Provided further that in the event of an appeal being disposed of after the period specified in the first proviso, the National Commission shall record in writing the reasons of the same at the time of disposal of the said appeal. Number of Members in National Commission . -The National Commission shall consist of a President and not less than four members and not more than eleven members, of whom at least one member shall be a woman. Sitting of National Commission and signing of orders. – (1) Every proceeding of the National Commission shall be conducted by members of a Bench constituted by the President of the National Commission with one or more members as he may deem fit. Every order made by the National Commission shall be signed by the members who conducted the proceeding and if there is any difference of opinion among the members of the Bench, the opinion of the majority shall be the order of the National Commission . Manner of depositing amount in appeals before Supreme Court. — Where an appeal is filed before the Supreme Court under section 67, the amount to be deposited by the appellant as provided in the second proviso to that section shall be remitted in the form of a crossed Demand Draft drawn on a nationalised bank in favour of the Registrar, Supreme Court, payable at New Delhi. Furnishing of information by State Commission. – The State Commissions shall furnish information to the Central Government on a quarterly basis in the form as specified in Schedule I to these rules. SCHEDULE -I [Rule 18] Present position of Implementation (Quarterly Performance Report) Working of Consumer Commissions/Consumer Protection Measures Name of State: [F.No.J-10/6/2018-CPU] AMIT MEHTA, Jt . Secy , 15 , 2020 . .. 449().— , , 2019 ( 2019 35) 101 - (1) - (2) () () , , : - – – (1) () , 2020 (2) 20 , 2020 – – (1) , , - () ' ' , 2019 (2019 35) ; () ' ' (i) , ; (ii) , , ; (iii) , ; (iv) ; (v) ; – 2 (19) – , , : – () () , 1998 (1998 17) ; () , 1867 (1867 3) - , – (1) , , - - , : – () ; () , , , ( , ' -' '/' ) ; () ; () ; () ; () , ; () , ; () ; () ; () ; () - , ; () , , : , , , , , , , [. . -10/6/2018 -] , NOTIFICATION New Delhi , the 15 July, 2020 G.S.R. 449(E). — In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:- Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Consumer Protection (General) Rules, 2020. They shall come into force on the 20 th day of July, 2020. Definitions: - In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,--- (a) ‘Act” means the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 ( 35 of 2019); (b) ‘public utility service’ means any— (i) transport service for the carriage of passengers or goods by air, road or water; or (ii) postal, telegraph, telephone or broadband service; or (iii)supply of power, light or water or fuel or natural gas to the public by any establishment; or (iv)insurance service; and (v) service in, or in connection with, the working of any major port or dock; Public utility services to be establishments . – Public utility services shall be establishments for the purpose of Clause (19) of section 2. Certain activities to be exempt from unfair trade practice . – Permitting of the following activities carried out for promoting directly or indirectly the sale, use or supply of any product or any business interest shall be exempt from the purview of unfair trade practices, namely:– (a) lotteries allowed under the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998 (17 of 1998); and (b) games of chance or skill not prohibited under the Public Gambling Act, 1867 (3 of 1867), which are not gambling and wherein success depends on a substantial degree of skill and not chance. Manner of issuing invoice or bill or cash memo or receipt for goods sold or services rendered.– (1) Every invoice, bill, cash memo or receipt for goods sold or services rendered, issued by a seller shall have the following minimum particulars, namely:- (a) The name and address of the seller; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing letters or numerals or special characters (hyphen or dash, and slash, symbolised as “ - ” and “/” respectively) and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) the date of its issue; (d) the name of the consumer; (e) the description of goods or services; (f) the quantity, in case of goods; (g) the shipping address, where applicable; (h) the taxable value and discounts; (i) the rate of tax; (j) the signature of the seller or his authorised representative; (k) the customer care number or e-mail ID, where available, and (l) the total price in single figure, along with the breakup price showing all the compulsory and voluntary charges, such as delivery charges, postage and handling charges, conveyance charges and the applicable tax: Provided that where such invoice, bill, cash memo or receipt is issued by a seller in electronic form, the signature of the seller is not required. The serial number on the invoice, bill, cash memo or receipt to be issued by a seller shall not be altered, removed, replaced, or erased under any circumstances. [F.No.J-10/6/2018-CPU] AMIT MEHTA, Jt . Secy . xxxGIDHxxx 1607 xxxGIDExxx ..160 xxxGIDHxxx xxxGIDExxx ..-..-.-16072020-220550 CG-DL-E-16072020-220550 EXTRAORDINARY II — 3 — - (i) PART II — Section 3 — Sub -section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY , , 15, 2020/ 24 , 1942 NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JULY 15 , 2020/ASHADHA 24, 1942 , ( ) , 15 , 2020 ... 447(). — — , , 2019 ( 2019 35) 101 - (2) (), () ( ) , , : - – (1) ( ) , 2020 20 , 2020 – – (1) , , - () ' ' , 2019 (2019 35) ; () ' ' 3 - (1) ; () ' ' ; () ' ' ; () ' ' . 344] No. 344] , , – – , , , : - () , ; () ( ) , ; () I , , ; () II ( ) , , ; () – – () , , , ; () ; () , , ; () , , ; () , , , , , - , I , , - - () , , () , - , , – – : – , , -(1) 5 5 , , – – (1) , , . – (1) : , , , , , , - - - , , , , – (1) - - : - () ; () , , , - (1) , - - , , I [ 3(3) ] – – , , , – – , , , – – , , , – – , , , – , , , , , , II [ 3 (4) ] , , , , , , , . . -10/2/2019 - , MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (Department of Consumer Affairs) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 15th July, 2020 G.S.R. 447(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by clauses (d),(e) and (zj) of sub-section (2) of section 101 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:–– Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Consumer Protection (Central Consumer Protection Council) Rules, 2020. They shall come into force on the 20 th day of July,2020. Definitions . — (1) ln these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) ―Act‖ means the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019); (b) ―Central Council‖ means the Central Consumer Protection Council established under sub -section (1) of section 3 of the Act; (c) ―Chairperson‖ means the chairperson of the Central Council; (d) ―Schedule‖ means a Schedule appended to these rules; (e) ―State‖ include Union territory. The words and expressions used herein, but not defined, and defined in the Act shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Act. Composition of Central Council. — The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish the Central Council which shall consist of the following members, not exceeding thirty-six, namely: — (a) the Minister in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government who shall be the Chairperson of the Central Council; (b) the Minister of State (where he is not holding independent charge) or Deputy Minister in charge of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government who shall be the Vice-Chairperson of the Central Council; (c) the Minister in-charge of Consumer Affairs of two of the States from each region as mentioned in Schedule I to be changed by rotation on expiration of the term of the Central Council on each occasion; (d) an administrator (whether designated as administrator or Lieutenant Governor) of a Union territory, to represent that Union territory, as mentioned in Schedule II, to be changed by rotation on expiration of the term of the Central Council on each occasion; (e) two Members of Parliament—one from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha; (f) representatives of Departments of the Central Government, autonomous organisations or regulators concerned with consumer interests, not exceeding five to be nominated by the Central Government; (g) the Chief Commissioner of the Central Consumer Protection Authority; (h) the Registrar, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi; (i) representatives of consumer organisations not exceeding five, to be nominated by the Central Government; (j) representatives with proven expertise and experience who are capable of representing consumer interests, drawn from amongst consumer organisations, consumer activists, research and training organisations, academicians, farmers, trade or industry, not exceeding five, one from each of the regions specified in Schedule I, of whom at least one shall be a woman; (k) the Secretaries in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the States, not exceeding three, to be nominated by the Central Government; (l) the Secretary in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government shall be the Member -Secretary of the Central Council. Term of Central Council. – –– The term of the Central Council shall be three years: Provided that the Central Council shall continue to function for a further period of three months or till it is reconstituted, whichever is earlier. Resignation of members of Central Council. –– Any member may, by notice in writing under his hand addressed to the Chairperson of the Central Council, resign from the Central Council. Vacancy caused by resignation. –– (1) A vacancy caused by the resignation of a member under rule 5 shall be filled by a fresh appointment from the same category of members by the Central Government. The person appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of a member under rule 5 shall hold office only for the period of time that the original member would have been entitled to hold office had the vacancy not occurred. Working Groups. — (1) For the purposes of performing its functions under the Act, the Central Council may constitute from amongst its members, such working groups as it may deem necessary, and every working group so constituted shall perform such task as are assigned to it by the Central Council. (2) The Central Council shall entrust to each working group clearly defined tasks which are specified through terms of reference, and which shall also include the time-period within which such task are to be completed. The working groups shall report to the Chairperson of the Central Council. The findings of each working group shall be placed before the Central Council for its consideration. The working group shall cease to function on the completion of the task for which it was constituted. 8. Meetings of Central Council for transaction of business. — (1) The meetings of the Central Council shall ordinarily be held in the National Capital Territory of Delhi: Provided that the Central Council may also hold its meetings at any other place in India, wherever in the opinion of the Chairperson, it is expedient so to do. The Chairperson, or in his absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Central Council. In the absence of both the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson, the meetings of the Central Council shall be presided over by a member of the Central Council elected for this purpose. A meeting of the Central Council may be called with the approval of the Chairperson by issuing a notice in writing to every member at least fifteen days before the intended date of the meeting by post, or through e-mail to facilitate speedy communication. The notice of every meeting of the Central Council shall intimate the time, date, and place of the meeting and the items of agenda for the meeting. Any business not included in the agenda shall not be transacted at a meeting of the Central Council except with the permission of the Chairperson, or the Vice-Chairperson, or the member presiding over the meeting, as the case may be. The draft minutes of each meeting of the Central Council shall be prepared as soon as possible and not later than one week from the conclusion of each meeting and the same shall be submitted to the Chairperson or the Vice-Chairperson or to the member who presided over the meeting for his approval. The draft minutes of each meeting of the Central Council approved by the Chairperson or the Vice -Chairperson or the member who presided over this meeting shall be forwarded to each member of the Central Council as soon as possible for adoption at the next meeting. No proceedings of the Central Council shall be invalid merely by reasons of existence of any vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of the Central Council. Reimbursement of expenses and sitting fees.— (1) Non-local non-official members of the Central Council shall be entitled to: –– (a) avail economy class airfare in connection with journeys undertaken to and from for the purpose of attending meetings of the Central Council or the working groups; (b) a sum of rupees five thousand per each day of the meeting of the Central Council or its working groups as incidental charges to cover the expenditure towards their daily allowance, lodging, local conveyance from their place of residence to the station or airport and from the station or airport to the venue of meeting of the Central Council or its working groups, and vice-versa. (2) Every claim made under sub-rule (1) shall be subject to the member of the Central Council certifying that he shall not claim any benefit from any other ministry, department or organisation of the Central Government during his visit for the purpose of attending the meeting of the Central Council or any of its working groups. (3) Local non-official members residing at the place of the venue of the meeting of the Central Council or its working groups, shall be entitled to avail consolidated conveyance hire charges of up to rupees one thousand per each day of the meeting irrespective of the classification of the city. Members of Parliament attending meetings of the Central Council or its working groups shall be entitled to travelling and daily allowances at such rates as are admissible to such Members. SCHEDULE I [See rule 3 (3)] Eastern Region - to consist of the States of Bihar, Chat

Section 10