**Executive Summary**
This document provides answers to unstarred question no. 547 in Lok Sabha regarding strengthening the functioning of state and district consumer commissions. It outlines actions taken by the government related to fee structures, filling vacant positions, and providing legal assistance. The question was addressed on December 3, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Consumer Protection Framework:**
* The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 replaced the 1986 Act to modernize consumer protection.
* The 2019 Act provides for a three-tier quasi-judicial system (Consumer Commissions) at District, State, and National levels.
* Consumer Commissions are empowered to provide specific relief and award compensation.
* **Fee Structure:**
* The Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020, amended in 2023, prescribe a uniform, graded fee structure based on the value of goods or services.
* Revised fee slabs are defined based on the value of goods or services paid as consideration ranging from Nil for claims up to Rupees Five Lakh to Rs. 7500 for claims above Rupees Ten Crore.
* **Filling Vacant Positions:**
* State Governments are responsible for filling vacancies in State and District Consumer Commissions, as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
* Appointment processes should start at least six months before a vacancy arises, according to the 2020 Rules.
* The Central Government is continuously in contact with State Governments/UT Administrations to expedite filling vacancies.
* The State Government may direct another District Commission to act, by notification, if a vacancy exists.
* **Legal Assistance:**
* The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and other Legal Services Institutions offer legal services to weaker sections of society.
* They also organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlements.
* NALSA works with various legal services authorities to deliver legal services and implement legal service programs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Petitioners filing complaints before Consumer Commissions
**Impact:** The financial burden has been reduced by a structured, graded fee system based on the claim value.
**Action Required:** Petitioners need to be aware of the revised fee structure to file complaints correctly.
**Stakeholder:** State Governments
**Impact:** Responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of State and District Consumer Commissions.
**Action Required:** Expedite the filling of vacancies in the State and District Consumer Commissions. Start the appointment process at least six months before the vacancy arises and adhere to the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and related rules.
**Stakeholder:** Consumers
**Impact:** They are empowered with protection through Consumer Commissions and access to Legal assistance through NALSA
**Action Required:** Consumers should be aware of their rights and can utilise Consumer Commissions to redress their grievances related to unfair trade practices.
Key Entities Referenced
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
Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020: Rules notified under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and amended, that prescribe a uniform and graded fee structure for filing complaints before Consumer Commissions
Consumer Commissions: Three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State and National level for protection of consumer rights
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA): Provides legal services to weaker sections, established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Department of Consumer Affairs: Continuously working for consumer protection and empowerment of consumers
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 :
Amount of fee
Sl. No. Value of goods or services paid as consideration
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.
******