Govt mulls alternative disputes redressal systems

NEW DELHI: The government is planning to set up alternative disputes redressal systems to make consumer fora more efficient, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Sharad Pawar had on Wednesday echoed the similar sentiment. "We need to provide for Alternative Disputes Redressal Systems, based on the principle of complaint resolution at the earliest possible stage," Pawar said.

The minister had also said that procedures should be such that only serious cases, which are worthy of court attention come to the consumer fora. "The rest should be taken care of by the Alternative Disputes Redressal Systems," he added. The government is also working on a plan to establish a National Consumer Protection Authority (NCPA), the official confirmed.

Pawar had also said yesterday that the government was considering an initiative to set up an organisation like NCPA as a proactive body empowered to take suo motu action to better protect the interest of consumers.