Section 7 and 8 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 - State Consumer Protection Council and Its Objects

Sections 7 and 8 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 dealt with the State Consumer Protection Council and its objects. Section 7 provided for establishment, composition and meetings of the State Council, while Section 8 stated that its object was to promote and protect specified consumer rights within the State.

Section 7 - The State Consumer Protection Councils

Section 7 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provided for establishment of a Consumer Protection Council for the State, referred to as the State Council. The State Government was required to establish the Council by notification with effect from the date specified in that notification.

Composition of the State Council under Section 7

The State Council consisted of the following members:

• the Minister in-charge of consumer affairs in the State Government, who was the Chairman;
• such number of other official or non-official members representing prescribed interests as determined under the applicable provisions; and
• such number of other official or non-official members, not exceeding ten, as could be nominated by the Central Government.

Meetings of the State Council

Section 7 required the State Council to meet whenever necessary, subject to a minimum of two meetings every year. The meetings were to be held at the time and place considered appropriate by the Chairman, following the procedure prescribed by the State Government for transaction of business.

Section 8 - Objects of the State Council

Section 8 provided that the objects of every State Council were to promote and protect, within the State, the consumer rights laid down in clauses (a) to (f) of Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Consumer rights referred to in Section 8

Section 8 referred back to the consumer rights stated in Section 6 of the 1986 Act. In substance, these covered protection against hazardous goods and services, information about goods and services, access to goods and services at competitive prices wherever possible, the right to be heard, the right to seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation, and consumer education.

Current position under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has been repealed and replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The corresponding State Council provisions are now found in Section 6 of the 2019 Act, while Section 7 states the objects of the State Council. Therefore, Sections 7 and 8 discussed on this page should be read as provisions of the earlier 1986 Act and not as the current section numbering.

Official legal resources

For the authoritative historical text, see the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 on India Code. For the law presently governing consumer protection, refer to the Department of Consumer Affairs - Consumer Protection Act and Rules.

Legal note: This article is intended for general legal information. The statutory text, applicable rules, notifications and State-specific provisions should be checked for a particular matter.