(1) Appointment to the post of President of a District Forum shall be made by direct appointment or on deputation from amongst the serving District Judges.
Provided that appointment of serving District Judge shall not be made without the concurrence of the High Court.
Provided further that where the pendency of Complaints at the starting of the year before a District Forum does not exceed five hundred or the average number of complaints filed in the last three years does not exceed five hundred, the appointments shall be made on part-time basis.
(2) no withstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), if the Government is of the view that the work can be managed by assigning additional charge to a serving District Judge, it may do so with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
(3) The Members of the District Forum shall be appointed on whole-time basis or part-time basis;
Provided that the number of posts for whole-time appointment shall be identified by the Government in consultation with the President of State Commission:
Provided further that where the pendency of complaints at the starting of the year before a District Forum does not exceed five hundred or the average number of complaints filed in the last three years does not exceed five hundred, the appointment shall be made on part-time basis.
(4) in the event of pendency of complaints at the starting of the year before a District Forum exceeds one thousand five hundred or the average number of complaints filed in the last three years exceed one thousand, the State Government may establish an additional District Forum in the District.
(5) Presidents and Members appointed on part-time basis shall function for such number of days in a week as may be decided by the President of State Commission in consultation with the Government, taking into consideration the work load of the District Forum;
Provided that the number of working days shall not be less than two in a week and the President and Members, appointed on part-time basis, will observe regular office hours on their working days.
(6) Presidents and members while acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this act, shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (Central Act XLV of 1860) ..3..