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(c) A similar conclusion emerges from the examination of clause (a) of sub section (1) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act, which lays down the qualifications for appointment to the office/post of the President of the National Consumer Commission, and clause (b) of sub section (1) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act, lays down the qualifications of the other members (being not less than four) of the National Consumer Commission.

This clearly emerges from the first two provisos under sub section (3) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act, whereby Parliament has expressly and separately provided for re- appointment to the office/post of "members" and "President" of the National Consumer Commission. The first proviso under sub section (3) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act, entails, that a person earlier appointed as a "member" of the National Consumer Commission, would be eligible for re-appointment, subject to the condition, that he fulfills the qualifications and the other conditions mentioned in clause (b) of sub section (1) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act. Whereas, for re-appointment as "President" of the National Consumer Commission, the second proviso under sub section (3) of Section 20, entails, that a person, who has earlier been "President" of the National Consumer Commission, shall be eligible for re-appointment, subject to the condition, that he fulfills the qualifications and the other conditions of eligibility stipulated under clause (a) of sub section (1) of Section 20 of the Consumer Act.

(f) In the aforesaid view of the matter, it must be held, that re-appointment is permissible only against the office/post of the "members" of the District Consumer Forums, and not, for the office/post of "Presidents" of the District Consumer Forums.

11. (a) The amendments to Sections 10, 16 and 20 of the Consumer Act, on the issue of re-appointment, were made at one and the same time i.e. by the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the Amendment Act), which came into force w.e.f. 15.3.2003 (vide GSR 270(E) dated 10.3.2003). The Amendment Act only added one proviso on the issue of re-appointment under Section 10(2) of the Consumer Act, whereas, the Amendment Act added two provisos on the issue of re- appointment under Section 16(3) of the Consumer Act i.e. a separate proviso for re-appointment of "members" of the State Consumer Commissions, and a separate proviso for re-appointment of "President" of the State Consumer Commissions. Likewise, two separate provisos have been added under Section 20 (3) of the Consumer Act, on the issue of re-appointment i.e. a separate proviso for re- appointment of "members" of the National Consumer Commission, and a separate proviso for re-appointment of "President" of the National Consumer Commission.

(b) Since separate provisos have been incorporated for re- appointment of the "Presidents" and "members" of the State Consumer Commissions, and the National Consumer Commission, whereas only one proviso has been incorporated under Section 10(2) of the Consumer Act, in so far as the District Consumer Forums are concerned, it seems clear, that the legislative intent, while amending Sections 10, 16 and 20 of the Consumer Act, was separate and distinct, namely, the Parliament desire to provide for re-appointment of both, "members" and the "Presidents" of the State Consumer Commissions and the National Consumer Commission, by making separate provisions for their re-appointment through two separate provisos under Sections 16(3) and 20(3) of the Consumer Act, respectively, whereas, provision was only made through one proviso under Section 10(2) of the Consumer Act, for re-appointment of "members" of the District Consumer Forum. Therefore, on a cumulative interpretation and analysis of Sections 10, 16 and 20 of the Consumer Act, we are of the view, that Section 10(2) of the Consumer Act, does not envisage re-appointment against the office/post of "President" of the District Consumer Forums."