Question -
Answer -
There exists a three levels of redressal mechanism under the Consumer Protection Act in order to listen to consumer complaints and grievances. The three levels are:
1. District Forum
2. State Commission
3. National Commission
District forum: The concerned state department has the responsibility of setting up district forums in each district. The district forum consists of a president and two or more than two members. One woman should be among them. The consumer can file a complaint in district forum when the goods have a value or compensation that is being sought is less than Rs.20 lakh. The forum on receiving the complaint, forwards it to the concerned party on whom the complaint is being is raised. The forum passes the judgement order after considering the reports and on hearing from both the parties. If the party which filed the complaint is not happy with the verdict, it can appeal to the State Commission within 30 days from the date of passing of judgement by the district forum.
State Commission: State government has setup state commission for addressing the consumer grievances. The number of members in a state commission is same as district forum and the composition is also same. The complaints that is being addressed in State Commission are of cases where the value of goods or services are more than 20 lakhs but less than 1 crore. The process of issuing order is same as the district forum. The party registering the complaint can appeal against the order if the order is not up to satisfaction. The appeal can be made to National commission within 30 days of the judgement passed from State Commission.
National Commission: National commission is setup by central government. There is a president along with four members or more members with one being woman. The customer can file complaint in case of goods having value of more than 1 crore. The commission passes an order after hearing both sides. The affected party can appeal to Supreme Court if not happy with the order passed by national commission.