Q. With reference to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), consider the following statements:
1.The Commission is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of the High Court.
2.Only registered consumer organizations are eligible to file a complaint directly with the NCDRC.
3.It can hear appeals against the decisions of both State and District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. NCDRC is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. The Commission is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of the High Court. It has the power to hear appeals against the decisions of both State and District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums. If a consumer is not satisfied with the decision of the lower forums, they can file an appeal with the NCDRC within a specified period. The Commission’s decisions are considered final and can only be challenged in the Supreme Court of India.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While registered consumer organizations can file complaints with the NCDRC, individual consumers can also directly approach the commission to file complaints against unfair trade practices and other consumer grievances.
Source: Forum IAS
