District Consumer Protection Council under Sections 8A and 8B of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986
Sections 8A and 8B of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 dealt with the District Consumer Protection Council and the objects of the District Council. Section 8A provided for its establishment, composition and meetings, while Section 8B stated its object of promoting and protecting consumer rights within the district.
What is the District Consumer Protection Council?
Under Section 8A of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the State Government was required, by notification, to establish a District Consumer Protection Council for every district. The council was referred to as the District Council.
The District Council was established to promote and protect consumer rights at the district level. It was distinct from the consumer dispute redressal agencies constituted for adjudication of consumer complaints.
Section 8A - District Consumer Protection Council
Section 8A provided the legal framework for the District Council. It required the State Government, by notification, to establish a District Consumer Protection Council for every district with effect from the date specified in the notification.
Composition of the District Council
The District Council consisted of:
- the Collector of the district, by whatever name called, who was its Chairman; and
- such number of other official and non-official members representing such interests as could be prescribed by the State Government.
Meetings of the District Council
The District Council was required to meet as and when necessary, but not less than two meetings were required every year. It was to meet at such time and place within the district as the Chairman thought fit and observe the procedure prescribed by the State Government for transaction of its business.
Section 8B - Objects of the District Council
Section 8B provided that the objects of every District Council were to promote and protect within the district the rights of consumers laid down in clauses (a) to (f) of Section 6 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
These rights included protection against hazardous goods and services; information about quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price; access, wherever possible, to goods and services at competitive prices; the right to be heard; the right to seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation; and the right to consumer education.
Sections 8A and 8B at a glance
| Provision | Subject | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Section 8A | District Consumer Protection Council | Provided for establishment, composition, Chairman and meetings of the District Council. |
| Section 8B | Objects of District Council | Provided for promotion and protection within the district of the consumer rights specified in Section 6. |
Difference between the District Council and District Commission
The District Consumer Protection Council under Sections 8A and 8B of the 1986 Act focused on promotion and protection of consumer rights. It was distinct from the District Forum under the 1986 Act, which was the adjudicatory consumer dispute redressal agency at district level.
Official legal source
For the authoritative text and latest legislative position, refer to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 on India Code. Consumer information and official resources are also available from the Department of Consumer Affairs and the National Consumer Helpline.
Note: This article is intended as a general legal information resource. For a specific dispute, notification, State rule or procedural issue, the applicable statutory text, rules, notifications and current judicial decisions should be checked.