What Is the Jurisdiction of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions?

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRC) are part of the three-tier system established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 in India. Their primary role is to address consumer complaints that fall within their territorial jurisdiction and monetary limits. The SCDRCs provide a forum for consumers to seek redressal when their rights are violated by businesses or service providers. The jurisdiction of these commissions is determined by factors like the value of the complaint and the location where the transaction took place.

Key Jurisdictional Aspects of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions:

1. Territorial Jurisdiction:
   • State-Level Jurisdiction: As the name suggests, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has jurisdiction over consumer complaints arising within the particular state. This means that it can hear cases from consumers who reside within that state, or where the transaction (purchase of goods, services) took place in that state.
   • District-Level Appeals: If a consumer is dissatisfied with the decision made by a District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (DCDRF), they can appeal to the SCDRC within the relevant state. The SCDRC, therefore, acts as an appellate authority for decisions made by lower-level consumer forums within the state.
2. Monetary Jurisdiction:
   • Complaint Value: The jurisdiction of the SCDRC is also determined by the value of the consumer complaint. As per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the SCDRC has the authority to hear complaints where the value of goods or services in question (along with compensation or claims) does not exceed ₹1 crore (10 million rupees).
   • Higher Value Cases: For complaints with a higher value, exceeding ₹1 crore, the matter is referred to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). Thus, the SCDRC handles cases falling within the range of ₹1 crore or below, making it the forum for most consumer disputes at the state level.
3. Types of Cases Handled:
   • Consumer Complaints: The SCDRC hears complaints where a consumer believes their rights have been infringed upon by businesses or service providers. Such complaints may relate to defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices, or misleading advertisements.
   • Appeals: In addition to hearing fresh complaints, the SCDRC serves as the appellate body for decisions made by district-level forums (DCDRFs). If a consumer or service provider is dissatisfied with the judgment passed at the district level, they can appeal to the state commission within a stipulated period, typically 30 days.
   • Consumer Protection Issues: The SCDRC also takes up issues related to the violation of consumer rights and protects consumers from exploitation by sellers or service providers operating in the state.
4. Powers of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission:
   • Adjudicatory Powers: The SCDRC has the power to adjudicate disputes, order compensation, direct the replacement or repair of defective goods, impose fines, or even order refunds to consumers.
   • Civil Court-like Powers: The SCDRC has civil court-like powers in terms of enforcing its decisions. It can summon parties, record evidence, issue orders of compliance, and provide remedies such as reimbursement, compensation, or warranty enforcement.
   • Interim Orders: The commission has the authority to pass interim orders, including stay orders, to protect consumer rights during the pendency of the case.
5. Appeals to the National Commission:
   • From the SCDRC to the NCDRC: If a party is dissatisfied with the decision of a State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, they have the option of appealing to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), which handles cases with higher monetary claims exceeding ₹1 crore. Appeals to the NCDRC must be made within a prescribed period, typically 30 days.

Example:

Suppose a consumer in Maharashtra purchases a defective air conditioner, and the seller refuses to repair it or offer a refund. The consumer could file a complaint at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (DCDRF) in their district. If the consumer is dissatisfied with the decision of the district forum, they can file an appeal with the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) in Maharashtra. If the claim exceeds ₹1 crore or the consumer is unhappy with the state-level commission’s ruling, they can take the matter to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).

Conclusion:

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions play a critical role in the consumer protection framework by providing an accessible, state-level forum for the resolution of consumer disputes. Their jurisdiction is determined by the geographical location of the consumer and the value of the complaint. They serve as an important resource for consumers seeking redress for grievances related to defective goods, deficient services, unfair practices, or violations of consumer rights. Additionally, they act as appellate bodies for district-level forums, ensuring that consumers have multiple avenues for addressing their complaints.