Here are some notes on filing complaints to State Commissions and the National Commission under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:
- A complaint can be filed by a consumer or by a consumer organization.
- The complaint must be filed in writing and must be accompanied by a fee of Rs. 500 for State Commission and Rs. 1000 for National Commission.
- The complaint must be filed within two years from the date on which the cause of action arose.
- The complaint must be filed with the State Commission or the National Commission in whose jurisdiction the opposite party resides or carries on business or personally works for gain.
- The complaint must be in the prescribed format.
- The complaint must contain the following information:
- The name, address, and contact details of the complainant.
- The name, address, and contact details of the opposite party.
- The details of the goods or services that were purchased.
- The details of the deficiency in the goods or services.
- The relief that is being sought.
The State Commission or the National Commission will investigate the complaint and will issue a notice to the opposite party. The opposite party will have an opportunity to file a reply to the complaint. The State Commission or the National Commission will then hold a hearing and will decide the complaint.
The State Commission or the National Commission can award a variety of reliefs to the complainant, including:
- Refund of the price paid.
- Replacement of the goods.
- Removal of defects from the goods.
- Compensation for loss or injury.
The decision of the State Commission or the National Commission is final and binding on both parties.
Here are some of the important things to keep in mind when filing a complaint with the State Commission or the National Commission:
- Make sure that the complaint is filed in the correct format.
- Provide all of the relevant information in the complaint.
- Be clear about the relief that you are seeking.
- Keep a copy of the complaint for your records.
If you have any questions about filing a complaint with the State Commission or the National Commission, you can contact the State Commission or the National Commission for help.
Here are some of the key differences between filing a complaint with the District Commission, the State Commission, and the National Commission:
- The District Commission has the lowest pecuniary jurisdiction, followed by the State Commission and the National Commission.
- The State Commission and the National Commission have more powers than the District Commission.
- The decision of the District Commission can be appealed to the State Commission, and the decision of the State Commission can be appealed to the National Commission.