Executive Summary:
This document is an answer to a parliamentary question regarding the functionality of the District Level Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission in Daman under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. It details the commission's functions, staffing, case statistics, and the government's actions to address vacancies. The State Government is responsible for filling vacancies, initiating the appointment process at least 6 months before a vacancy arises.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Legal Framework and Purpose:**
* The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 establishes a three-tier quasi-judicial system (District, State, National) for consumer dispute resolution.
* Consumer Commissions are empowered to provide relief and award compensation for unfair trade practices and other consumer disputes.
* **Jurisdiction:**
* District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (DCDRC) handle complaints where the value of goods or services does not exceed fifty lakh rupees.
* **Current Status in Daman:**
* The post of President, DCDRC, Daman is currently vacant.
* Shri Ashwini S. Agrawal is currently working as a Member, DCDRC, Daman.
* **Filling Vacancies:**
* State Governments are responsible for filling vacancies in State and District Commissions.
* The appointment process should be initiated at least 6 months before a vacancy arises, according to Rule 64 of the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020.
* The Central Government is continuously engaging with State Governments/UT Administrations to expedite the filling of vacancies.
* **Case Statistics (Last Five Years):**
* Complaints filed in Daman DCDRC: 48
* Complaints disposed of: 04
* Appeals filed: 0
Impact Analysis:
* **Consumers:**
* *Impact:* May face delays in the resolution of grievances due to vacancies in the DCDRC, Daman.
* *Action Required:* To be aware of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and continue filing complaints.
* **State Government:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for ensuring the DCDRC in Daman is fully functional.
* *Action Required:* Expedite the process of appointing a President and Members to the DCDRC, Daman, and initiate the appointment process at least 6 months before a vacancy arises
* **Central Government:**
* *Impact:* Oversees the functioning of consumer commissions nationwide.
* *Action Required:* Continue to engage with State Governments/UT Administrations to expedite the filling of vacancies in Consumer Commissions.
Key Entities Referenced
Consumer Protection Act 2019: A law in India that provides for the protection of the rights of consumers and the establishment of quasi-judicial bodies for redressal of consumer disputes.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the functionality of the District Level Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission in Daman.
SHRI B.L. VERMA: The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution who provided the answer to the question.
Daman: A district in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, India, where the District Level Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission's functionality was questioned.
District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: A quasi-judicial body at the district level in India responsible for addressing consumer complaints with a jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed fifty lakh rupees.
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: Rules pertaining to the appointment, recruitment, and terms of office for members of the State and District Consumer Commissions.
ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 661
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
DISTRICT LEVEL CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL COMMISSION IN DAMAN
661. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:
(OIH)
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether any District Level Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission is functional in Daman;
(b) if so, the details of its functions;
(c) the names of chairperson and the members of said Commission, in case it is functional;
(d) the number of complaints/cases registered by the Commission during the last five years including the
number of complaints/cases disposed of;
(e) the number of cases in which appeals have been filed against the decision of the Commission along
with the details thereof; and
(f) whether it is not a violation of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act-2019, in case of the
said Commission is not functional and if so, the details thereof including the steps taken by the
Government in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L. VERMA)
(a) to (f) : 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.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) have jurisdiction to entertain
complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed fifty lakh rupees.At present, the post of President, DCDRC, Daman is vacant and Shri Ashwini S. Agrawal is working
as Member, DCDRC, Daman. The filling up of the vacancies in the Consumer Commissions is an ongoing
process. 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 with the State Governments/UT Administrations for
expeditious filling up of the existing and anticipated vacancies of President and Members of the Consumer
Commissions.
The complaints filed and disposed in Daman District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
during the last five years are 48 and 04 respectively and no appeals were filed thereof.
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