Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Oct 30: The President of India has empowered Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to discharge powers and functions exercised by exercised by the State Government under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019.
“In pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution, the President hereby directs that the powers and functions of the State Government under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (35 of 2019) shall, subject to the control of the President and until further orders, be exercised by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh within that Union Territory,” reads the notification issued by Union Home Ministry.
Under section 239 of the Constitution of India, the President of India is empowered to delegate powers to administrators of UTs.
“Save as otherwise provided by Parliament by law, every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting, to such extent as he thinks fit, through an administrator to be appointed by him with such designation as he may specify,” reads the provision of the Constitution.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 protects interests of consumers and provides for establishment of authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of their disputes.
It states that every state government shall, by notification, establish State Consumer Protection Council headed by minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs.
The law also provides for establishment of district consumer protection council in every district—(KNO)
