Lok Sabha Question No. 547 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Strengthening the Functioning of State and District Consumer Commissions
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

## Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 547

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## STRENGTHENING THE FUNCTIONING OF STATE AND DISTRICT CONSUMER COMMISSIONS

## 547. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the actions that have been undertaken by the Government in coordination with State Governments to establish appropriate Fee Structures for Petitioners based on the Merits and nature of each case and to ensure timely revision of such Fees by the State Consumer Commissions so as to reduce the financial burden on the Government treasury;
- (b) whether any measures have been taken by the Government to expedite the filling of vacant posts in State and District Consumer Commissions and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has implemented or proposes to implement mechanisms to provide free and quality Legal assistance to poor; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI B.L.VERMA)

(a) :  Department of Consumer Affairs is continuously working for consumer protection and empowerment of consumers by enactment of progressive legislations. With a view to modernize the framework governing the  consumer  protection  in  the  new  era  of  globalization,  technologies,  e-commerce  markets  etc.,  the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was repealed and Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for a three tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State and National level commonly known as 'Consumer Commissions' for protection of the rights of consumers and to provide simple and speedy redressal of consumer disputes including those related with unfair trade practices.  The  Consumer  Commissions  are  empowered  to  give  relief  of  a  specific  nature  and  award compensation to consumers, wherever appropriate.

In exercise of the powers conferred under the Act, the Central Government has notified the Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020 and has further amended them through subsequent  notifications,  including  the  Consumer  Protection  (Consumer  Disputes  Redressal  Commissions) Amendment  Rules,  2023.  These  rules  prescribe  a  uniform  and  graded  fee  structure  for  filing  complaints before Consumer Commissions, based on the value of goods or services paid as consideration.

The revised fee slabs are as follows :

| Sl. No.   | Value of goods or services paid as consideration    | Amount of fee payable   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
| (1)       | Upto Rupees Five Lakh                               | Nil                     |
| (2)       | Above Rupees Five Lakh and upto Rupees Ten Lakh     | Rs. 200                 |
| (3)       | Above Rupees Ten Lakh and upto Rupees Twenty Lakh   | Rs. 400                 |
| (4)       | Above Rupees Twenty Lakh and upto Rupees Fifty Lakh | Rs. 1000                |
| (5)       | Above Rupees Fifty Lakh and upto Rupees One Crore   | Rs. 2000                |
| (6)       | Above Rupees One Crore and upto Rupees Two Crore    | Rs. 2500                |
| (7)       | Above Rupees Two Crore and upto Rupees Four Crore   | Rs. 3000                |
| (8)       | Above Rupees Four Crore and upto Rupees Six Crore   | Rs. 4000                |
| (9)       | Above Rupees Six Crore and upto Rupees Eight Crore  | Rs. 5000                |
| (10)      | Above Rupees Eight Crore and upto Rupees Ten Crore  | Rs. 6000                |
| (11)      | Above Rupees Ten Crore                              | Rs. 7500                |

(b) : Under  the  provisions  of  the  Consumer  Protection  Act,  2019,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  State Governments  to  fill  up  the  vacancies  of  President  and  Members  in  the  State  Commissions  and  District Commissions. Further, as per Rule 6(4) of the Consumer Protection (Qualification for appointment, method of recruitment, procedure of appointment, term of office, resignation and removal of the President and members of the State Commission and District Commission) Rules, 2020, the process of appointments shall be initiated by the State Government atleast 6 months before the vacancy arises. Also, the Central Government has been continuously taking up the matter with the State Governments/UT Administrations for expeditious filling up of the existing and anticipated vacancies of President and Members of the Consumer Commissions.

As per Section 32 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, if, at any time, there is a vacancy in the office of the President or Member of the District Commission, the State Government may, by  notification, direct -

- a) any other District Commission specified in that notification to exercise the jurisdiction in respect of that district also; or
- b) the President or a member of any other District Commission specified in that notification to exercise the powers and discharge the functions of the President or member of that District Commission also.

(c) & (d) : The  National  Legal  Services  Authority  (NALSA)  and  other  Legal  Services  Institutions  at Supreme Court, State, High Court, District and Taluk levels have been established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society and to organise Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of resolution of disputes.

With the aim of promoting access to justice to people belonging to different socio-economic, cultural backgrounds,  NALSA  through  the  other  Legal  Services  Institutions  delivers  legal  services  to  specific categories  of  the  marginalized  and  disadvantaged  groups  from  the  diverse  populace  of  the  country  and formulates various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes to be undertaken  and  implemented  by  the  Legal  Services  Authorities  at  various  levels.  In  carrying  out  all  these responsibilities,  NALSA  works  in  close  coordination  with  the  various  State  Legal  Services  Authorities, District  Legal  Services  Authorities  and  other  agencies  for  a  regular  exchange  of  relevant  information, monitoring and updating on the implementation and progress of the various legal services schemes and fosters a  strategic  and  coordinated  approach  to  ensure  smooth  and  streamlined  functioning  of  the  various  legal services institutions.

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