Composition, Jurisdiction, and Procedure of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

The ‘National Commission’ (or) National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is one of the Consumer Disputes Redressal agencies dealt under sections 16 to 19.

Each National Commission consists of;-

a) A person who is, or has been a judge of Supreme Court, appointed by the Central government, who shall be its president.

b) 4 other members who shall be persons of ability, integrity, and standing, and have the adequate knowledge (or) experience of, (or) have shown capacity in dealing with, problems relating to economics, law, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs (or) administration, one of who shall be a woman.

However, every appointment shall be made by the Central government on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of:-

1. A person who is a judge of the supreme court, to be nominated by the chief justice of India (i.e.., chairman),

2. Secretary, Law Department of the state (i.e.., member),

3. Secretary in charge of the Department with consumer affairs in the state (i.e., member)

Every member of the District Forum shall hold office for a term of 5 years (or) up to the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. He shall not be eligible for re-appointment.

Jurisdiction:

According to section 21, The National Commission shall have jurisdiction:-

a) To entertain complaints where the value of the goods (or) services and the compensation, if any, claimed does not exceed Rs. 20 lakhs; and

b) Appeal against the orders of any State Commission.

c) To call for records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute which is pending before (or) has been decided by any state Commission where it appears to the National Commission that such State Commission. Had exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law (or) has failed to exercise its jurisdiction so vested (or) has acted in exercise of its jurisdiction illegally (or) with material irregularity.

Procedure:

According to Section 22, the National Commission shall, in the disposal of any complaints (or) any proceedings before it have

1. The power of the civil court as specified in section 13.

2. The power to issue an order to the opposite party directing him to do any (or) more of the things referred to in section 14

The national commission shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed by the Central Government.