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Who can file a complaint?
The following can file a complaint under the Act:- A consumer
- Any voluntary consumer organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or under the Companies Act, 1956 or under any other law for the time being in force
- The Central Government
- The State Government or Union Territory Administrations
- One or more consumers on behalf of numerous consumers, having the same interest (Class action complaints)
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What constitutes a complaint?
Under the Act, a complaint means any allegation in writing made by a complainant in regard to one or more of the following:- Any unfair trade practice as defined in the Act or restrictive trade practices like tie-up sales adopted by any trader
- One or more defects in goods
- The goods hazardous to life and safety, when used, are being offered for sale to public in contravention of provisions of any law for the time being in force
- Deficiencies in services
- A trader charging excess of price:
- Fixed by or under any law for the time being in force or
- displayed on goods or
- displayed on any packet containing such good(s)
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What are the remedies available to a consumer?
Depending on the nature of relief sought by the consumer and facts, the redressal forums may give orders for one or more of the following relief:- removal of defects from the goods
- replacement of the goods
- refund of the price paid
- award of compensation for the loss or injury suffered
- removal of defects or deficiencies in the services
- discontinuance of unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices or direction not
to repeat them - withdrawal of the hazardous goods from being offered to sale or
- award for adequate costs to parties
