If there is any deficiency in services by any service provider in any sectors like manufacturing, hotels, transport, telephone department,

electricity department, hospitals, banks, educational institution etc, then you can approach consumer court. Consumer courts are three tier structure: If value of goods and compensation is less than 20 lakhs, case can be filed in district forum. If the value of goods and compensation is more than 20 lakhs but less than one crore, case can be filed in State Consumer Dispute Commission. #t present there are $%& district consumer forums, '' state forums and "ational Dispute edressal commission is at "e( Delhi. !iling a petition: )ou can file a petition in person or by an authori*ed agent through registered post. (ith in 2 years from the date of such deficiency occurred.+he case filed should be clear and precise. It should contain all facts ,documents in support of evidence in orderly manner.It should contain the follo(ing: ,"ame ,#ddress, Description of the Complainant ,"ame of the -pposite party or parties ,Cause and !acts relating to the complaint. +ime and .lace (here it occurred. ,Copies of documents in support of your petition , /eep one copy for yourself and file one copy in the court by duly signing it. ,send notice to the opposite party. Cost of filing a case (ith effect from 00121200$: District court. !or value of goods and compensation 2p to 0 lakh , s.0 lakh , s.$ lakhs , s.00 lakh to s.000 s.00 lakh , s.300 s.20 lakh , s.$00 s.$ lakh , s.200 edressal !orum. If the value of goods and services is more than one crore, case should be filed in "ational

+he specific fee should be in the form of crossed demand draft or crossed Indian postal order addressed to 4.resident,District consumer dispute redressal !orum4. State Commission: !or value of goods and compensation 20 lakhs , $0 lakh , s.2000 $0 lakhs , 0 crore , s.3000 +he specific fee in the form of crossed demand draft or crossed Indian postal order has to be sent to 4 egistrar,State Consumer Dispute edressal Commission4

"ational Commission: !or the value of goods and compensation above s.0 crore the cost of filing a suit is edressal Commission4. s.$000.+he specific fee in the form of crossed demand draft or crossed Indian postal order should be sent to 4 egistrar,"ational Consumer Dispute

#uthor: Ajay Kumar .ecuniary 8urisdiction

20 #pr 200&

5ember 6evel: Gold

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7oting Score: 0

9 In cases (here the value of goods and services involved is less than a State. 9 In cases (here the value of goods and services involved is more than but does not e:ceed constituted in the capital cities of the different states

s. 20 6akhs in value,

you (ill have to file the complaint in the District !orum constituted in the specified districts of s. 20 6akhs in value

s 0 crore you (ill have to file the complaint (ith the State Commission

9 In cases (here the value of goods and services involved is more than 0 crore in value then you can file a complaint (ith the "ational Commission (hich has been constituted only in "e( Delhi. +erritorial 8urisdiction. +he ;urisdiction of the complaint is determined by the facts of the case and (here the cause of action arises. !urther, (hen you file a complaint, the area in (hich the opposite party resides or carries on his (ork or business (ill also have to be taken into consideration by you. +his means that if you are filing a complaint against a service provider for a sum belo( 20 lakhs you (ould have to approach the District !orum in the ;urisdiction (here the cause of action arose. If the matter is above 20 lakhs but belo( 0 crore then it (ould be filed in the State Commission (ithin (hich State the trader1 service provider1 manufacturer is located in the state in (hich the trader resides or (orks in. +hese t(o factors (ill have to be kept in mind (hile filing your complaint. Consumer Courts Consumer !orums +here are consumer forums at the District, State and "ational level. #t present, there are $%& District Consumer !orums, '' State Commissions < the highest body (hich is the "ational Consumer Disputes edressal Commission ="CD C> having its office at 8anpath ?ha(an, # @ing, $th !loor, 8anpath , "e( Delhi. +he District !orum consist of one president and t(o other members =one of (hom is to be a

(oman>.+he president of the !orum is a person (ho is, or has been Aualified to be a District 8udge, and other members are persons of ability, integrity and standing, and have adeAuate kno(ledge or e:perience of, or have sho(n capacity in dealing (ith, problems relating to economics, la(, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration. +hey can hear the case involving amount of s. +(enty 6acs. It is situated in the District head Auarters.

State Commissions # State Commission has ;urisdiction in (hole of the State for (hich it is constituted. It can hear the cases involving the amount more than rupees t(enty lacs and up to rupees one crore. It has also ;urisdiction to hear appeal against the orders of District !orum of that particular State. It is situated in the capital of the State. State Commission consists of a president and t(o members one of (hom is to be a (oman..resident is a person (ho is or has been a 8udge of a Bigh Court, and the members, are persons of ability, integrity and standing and have adeAuate kno(ledge or e:perience of, or have sho(n capacity in dealing (ith, problems relating to economics, la(, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration. +he "ational Commission consists of a president, and four other members =one of (hom is to be a (oman>.+he president should be the one (ho is or has been a 8udge of the Supreme Court, and the members should be the persons of ability, integrity and standing and have adeAuate kno(ledge or e:perience of, or have sho(n capacity in dealing (ith, problems relating to economics, la(, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration. Do other Courts =District Courts1Bigh Courts> accept consumer disputesC +he ;urisdiction of other courts to hear consumer disputes is not e:cluded. +his is because the .arliament of India felt it (as necessary to have an efficient < convenient mechanism to address and resolve the various consumer complaints across the country. #s a result it created a three,tier remedial machinery for the ine:pensive and Auick disposal of consumer complaints. #s these forums only deal (ith consumer complaints1issues and nothing else, all their time can be devoted to addressing consumers complaints.