Sections 3 to 9 of Consumer Protection Act 2019: Consumer Protection Councils

Section 3 - Central Consumer Protection Council

Meaning and purpose: Section 3 requires the Central Government, by notification, to establish the Central Consumer Protection Council, commonly referred to as the Central Council. It is an advisory council.

The Minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government is the Chairperson. The Council also includes such official or non-official members representing prescribed interests.

The composition and related matters of the Central Council are supplemented by the Consumer Protection (Central Consumer Protection Council) Rules, 2020.

Section 4 - Procedure for meetings of Central Council

Section 4 provides that the Central Council shall meet whenever necessary, with at least one meeting every year. The Chairperson determines the time and place of the meeting, subject to the prescribed procedure for transaction of business.

This provision ensures a statutory minimum frequency while allowing the Council to meet more often when consumer protection issues require consideration.

Section 5 - Objects of Central Council

The object of the Central Council is to render advice on the promotion and protection of consumers' rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Accordingly, the Council has an advisory role. It is distinct from the consumer dispute redressal commissions that adjudicate consumer disputes.

Section 6 - State Consumer Protection Councils

Section 6 requires every State Government to establish, by notification, a State Consumer Protection Council for the State. The State Council is also an advisory council.

The Minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the State Government is the Chairperson. The Council includes prescribed official or non-official members and may also include up to ten official or non-official members nominated by the Central Government.

The State Council must meet whenever necessary, but at least two meetings must be held every year. Its meetings are held at the time and place considered fit by the Chairperson and follow the prescribed procedure for transaction of business.

Section 7 - Objects of State Council

The object of every State Council is to render advice on the promotion and protection of consumer rights under the Act within the State.

The territorial focus of the State Council therefore differs from the Central Council: its advisory role concerns consumer rights within the particular State.

Section 8 - District Consumer Protection Council

Section 8 requires the State Government to establish, by notification, a District Consumer Protection Council for every district. The District Council is an advisory council.

The Collector of the district, by whatever name called, is the Chairperson. The Council also consists of such official and non-official members representing prescribed interests.

The District Council must meet whenever necessary, but at least two meetings must be held every year. Meetings are held at such time and place within the district as the Chairperson considers fit, following the prescribed procedure for transaction of business.

Section 9 - Objects of District Council

The object of every District Council is to render advice on the promotion and protection of consumer rights under the Act within the district.

Sections 3 to 9 therefore create a three-level advisory structure - Central, State and District - for the promotion and protection of consumer rights.