(1) On receipt oi the complaint from any complainant, the Chairperson or a person authorised by the - Chairperson shall make endorsement on the grievance subscribing his dated initial.
Complaint received shall be registered and serially numbered generated through computer with date and time.
(2) The Forum shall acknowledge receipt of the complaint and fix and notify to both parties i.e. complaint and the licensee for hearing on the point of admissibility of the complaint within 7 days of receipt of the complaint.
(3) On receipt of a complaint made under sub-regulation 8.1, the Forum may, by order, allow the complaint to be proceeded with or rejected: Provided that the complainant shall be informed inwriting giving reasons if, tr,.J complaint is rejected:
Provided further that a complaint shall not be rejected under this sub-regulation, unless an opportunity of being heard has been given to the complainant: Provided further that the maintainability of the complaint shall ordinarily be decided within fifteen days from the date on which the-complaint was received.
(5) Where a complaint is allowed to be proceeded with, under sub-regulation 10(3), the Forum may proceed with the complaint in the manner provided under these regulations.
11. DrnrPrh tro tn ho .fnllnworl hy thP l=nr, ,m nn ::orlmissinn nf complatnt.e
(1) The Forum shall,-
(a) refer a copy of such complaint to the nodal officer directing him to give his version of the case within a period of fifteen days orsuch extended period not exceeding ten days as may be granted by the Forum.
(b) Where nodal officer on receipt of a copy of the co, nplaint, referred to him under clause (a) denies or disputes the allegation. contained in the complaint, or omits or fails to take any action to represent his case within the time specified by the Forum, the Forum shall proceed to settle the consumer dispute.-
(i) on the basis of evidenc.e submitted by the complainant and the distribution licensee, where the Distribution Licensee denies or disputes the allegations contained in the complaint, or (ii} ex-parte on the basis· of evidence brouqht to its notice by the complainant where the Distribution Licensee omits or fails to take any action to represent his case within the time given by the Forum, and
(c) where the complainant fails to appear on the date of hearing before the Forum, the Forum may either dismiss the complaint for default or decide it on merit, if possible, or serve a notice to the cc.:nplainant to appear in person to explain the grievances within 15 days of the 1st hearing as decided by the Forum.
(2) Every complaint shall tie heard expeditiously and an appropriate reasoned order shall be passed within a period of 14 days from the date of final hearing and maximum within 90 days from date of receipt of complaint by the Forum : Provided that no adiournrnent shall ordinarily, be granted by the Forum unless sufficient ground exists and the reasons for grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the Forum : Provided further that the Forum shall make such orders as to the cost for the adjournment as may be considered appropriate by the Forum;
[ 89 - J11ar:snano ciec. :--:eg. cornrrussion Regulation, 2005 r I \ i l I I,
(3) Where during the pendency oi any proceedings before the Forum, it appears to it to be necessary, it may pass such i_nterim order as is just and proper keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case subject to the condition that the complaint shall be decided within the maximum period of 90 days as specified in sub-regulation 11 (2).
(4) Proceedings of the Forum can be attended by any consumer.