Page 2 - Lesson Note 3

Who can file a complaint? A complaint before the appropriate consumer forum can be made by:

(i) Any consumer;
(ii) Any registered consumers’ association;

(iii) The Central Government or any State Government;
(iv) One or more consumers, on behalf of numerous consumers having the same interest; and

(v) A legal heir or representative of a deceased consumer.
Let us now see how the consumer grievances are redressed by the three- tire machinery under the

Consumer Protection Act.

1. District Forum: The District Forum consists of a President and two other members, one of
whom should be a woman. They all are appointed by the State Government concerned. A

complaint can to be made to the appropriate District Forum when the value of the goods or

services in question, along with the compensation claimed, does not exceed Rs. 20 lakhs. On
receiving the complaint, the District

Forum shall refer the complaint to the party against whom the complaint is filed. If required, the
goods or a sample thereof shall be sent for testing in a laboratory. The District Forum shall pass

an order after considering the test report from the laboratory and hearing to the party against
whom the complaint is filed. In case the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the order of the

District Forum, he can appeal before the State Commission within 30 days of the passing of the

order.
2. State Commission: Each State Commission consists of a President and not less than two other

members, one of whom should be a woman. They are appointed by the State Government
concerned. A complaint can to be made to the appropriate State Commission when the value of

the goods or services in question, along with the compensation claimed, exceeds Rs. 20 lakhs but
does not exceed Rs. 1 crore. The appeals against the orders of a District Forum can also be filed

before the State Commission. On receiving the complaint, the State Commission shall refer the

complaint to the party against whom the complaint is filed. If required, the goods or a sample
there of shall be sent for testing in a laboratory. The State Commission shall pass an order after

considering the test report from the laboratory and hearing to the party against whom the

complaint is filed. In case the aggrieved party is not satisfied with the order of the State
Commission, he can appeal before the National Commission within 30 days of the passing of the

order.