Acts

The Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Act was implemented for the first time during 1986 and underwent some amendments and changes during the years 1991, 1993 and finally during 2002. 2002 was also the year when the Consumer Protection Act (Amendment) was implemented. During 2002, there were many changes that were introduced into the Consumer Protection Act. Some of the important changes of this Act are given in a nutshell below:

• In the event of death of the consumer, then complaints can be filed on his behalf by his legal successors or by his chosen representatives.
• When a service provider indulges in any unfair or illegal trading, then a consumer can file a complaint for the same.
• The scope of the term “service” has been increased in the amendment.
• The Central Government would be responsible for setting up a dedicated Central Consumer Protection Council.
• The State Government would be responsible for setting up a dedicated State Consumer Protection Council.
• The amendment also has a clause that favours the setting up of District Consumer Protection Council.
• The qualifications required for being a member of the Central, State or District Council has also changed.
• The amendment contains a clause for re-appointment of members in the Central, State or District Council.
• The District Forum’s pecuniary jurisdiction has gone up to 20 lakh INR from 5 lakh INR.
• The State Forum’s pecuniary jurisdiction has gone up to the range of 20 lakh to 1 crore INR from the previous range of 5 lakh to 20 lakh INR.
• The National Forum’s pecuniary jurisdiction has gone up to a limit above 1 crore INR, from the current limit of above 20 lakh INR.
• When complaints are submitted to the District Forum, it should be accompanied with the necessary fee as well.
• The District Forum would send the reference to the disputed party within 21 days of the complaint, instead of the existing limit of within 30 days
• If the complainant doesn’t appear before the court on the stipulated date, then the Forum can dismiss the complaint.
• Within 3 months of filing of the complaint, the District Forum will arrive at a solution for the case. This limit can extend to 5 months if the case involves any testing or analysis procedure.
• The District Forum will not allow any adjournment or postponement of the case.
• A clause defining the method in which notice is served is included in the amendment.
• Implementation of the rules of the Forum or Commission will become stricter.
• State Commission can be approached only when the complainant pays 50% of the fees directed by the District Forum or 25000 INR, the lesser of the two.
• National Commission can be approached only when the complainant pays 50% of the fees directed by the State Forum or 35000 INR, the lesser of the two.
• Supreme Court can be approached only when the complainant pays 50% of the fees directed by the National Commission or 50000 INR, the lesser of the two.
• The appeal would be cleared off with 90 days from registering the same.
• Clauses included to transfer cases from one Commission or Forum to another.
• The State level forums will discharge its duties in non-state capitals as well.
• The National Forum will discharge its duties in places outside Delhi as well.