In India, consumer disputes are addressed through a three-tier consumer dispute redressal mechanism, which includes District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums (DCDRF), State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRC), and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
- District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums (DCDRF):
- District Consumer Forums are established at the district level under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
- They have jurisdiction to entertain consumer complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed does not exceed ₹10 million (10 million rupees).
- The forum is presided over by a District Judge who is appointed by the State Government, and it also consists of one or more members appointed by the State Government who are qualified to be District Judges or are persons with experience and knowledge in consumer affairs.
- District Consumer Forums are empowered to hear complaints regarding defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices, and overcharging, among other issues.
- They have the authority to issue orders for compensation, refund, or replacement of goods, as well as the payment of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by the consumer.
- Appeals against the orders of the District Forums can be filed with the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission within 30 days.
- State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRC):
- State Consumer Commissions are established at the state level under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
- They have jurisdiction to entertain appeals against the orders of the District Consumer Forums, as well as original complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed exceeds ₹10 million (10 million rupees) but does not exceed ₹100 million (100 million rupees).
- The commission is headed by a President who is a retired High Court Judge, and it also consists of one or more members who are qualified to be High Court Judges or are persons with experience and knowledge in consumer affairs.
- State Consumer Commissions have the power to hear appeals against the orders of District Forums, as well as complaints involving higher amounts or more complex issues.
- They can pass orders for compensation, refund, or replacement of goods, as well as the payment of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by the consumer.
- Appeals against the orders of the State Commissions can be filed with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission within 30 days.
- National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC):
- The National Consumer Commission is the apex consumer dispute redressal authority in India, established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
- It has jurisdiction to entertain appeals against the orders of the State Consumer Commissions, as well as original complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed exceeds ₹100 million (100 million rupees).
- The commission is headed by a President who is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and it also consists of one or more members who are qualified to be Supreme Court Judges or are persons with experience and knowledge in consumer affairs.
- The NCDRC has the power to hear appeals against the orders of State Commissions, as well as original complaints involving significant amounts or complex issues.
- It can pass orders for compensation, refund, or replacement of goods, as well as the payment of compensation for any loss or injury suffered by the consumer.
- The orders of the National Commission are final and binding, and no further appeal lies against its decisions.
Overall, the consumer dispute redressal mechanism in India provides consumers with accessible and effective avenues for seeking redressal of grievances against unfair trade practices, defective goods, and deficient services. The three-tier system ensures that consumers can pursue their complaints at the appropriate level of jurisdiction and obtain timely justice and relief.
