Cabinet to discuss consumer act

The cabinet is likely to discuss the proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act on Thursday, which seek to make the law even more responsive to consumer complaints through quicker disposal of cases.

The cabinet is likely to discuss the proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection Act on Thursday, which seek to make the law even more responsive to consumer complaints through quicker disposal of cases. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, has already been amended thrice in the past.

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In the proposed amendments, the consumer affairs ministry has widened the scope of the law, specified time limit for quicker disposal of cases and rationalised qualifications for appointment of members of consumer forums at the state and national level.

In another proposed amendment, cabinet is likely to consider four years fixed term for cabinet secretary. As of now, the cabinet secretary is appointed for a fixed tenure of two years.

The cabinet is also expected to discuss inclusion of new castes from Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh into the Central list of Other Backward Classes.