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In the event that you are not happy with the services or product that you have received, then you can file a consumer dispute. In this article, we will give you more information on consumer disputes and redressing agencies in India. If you are a consumer and faced unfair practices from a business or seller, then you can file a complaint. Handling of these disputes is done by some third party Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies in India. These agencies help consumers to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. These organizations also help the traders prevent future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry. Here is something more about such redressal agencies in India.
What is a Consumer Dispute?
Contents
- 1 What is a Consumer Dispute?
- 2 How to file a consumer dispute?
- 3 Consumer dispute redressal agencies in India
- 4 National Commission for Consumer Protection (NCCP)
- 5 National Consumer Helpline
- 6 Indian Council for Arbitration (ICA)
- 7 Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGS)
- 8 Forum for Enlightened Consumers (FEC)
- 9 The Consumer Rights Counseling Centre (CRC) and the Indian centre for Environment and Food Security (ICEF)
A consumer dispute arises when you are not happy with the services or product that you have received. It may be with a person or a company that is providing goods or services to consumers. You can approach the appropriate Consumer Redressal Agency in your state to file a dispute and get a fair treatment. Such agencies are authorized by the state governments to resolve disputes between consumers and traders. They are authorized to determine the dispute and order the business or trader to give a fair treatment to the consumer. As part of this, they can order a trader to replace or repair a faulty product, refund the price of a product, pay damages and terminate the contract between you and the trader if the product or service is not up to the standard or is not supplied as per the contract.
How to file a consumer dispute?
If you have a dispute with a trader or service provider, you should file a complaint with the appropriate Consumer Redressal Agency in your state. If you don’t know which agency to approach, you can search for the name of the business or the product online. You will get the address of the appropriate Consumer Redressal Agency from where you can proceed with the dispute. The complaint can be filed in writing or online. The details of your complaint should include the name and address of the business, the services or product that you have received, the defects in the services or product and the amount that you are seeking. You should also provide the details of the payment that you have made to the trader.
Consumer dispute redressal agencies in India
There are 13 agencies in India that resolves disputes between consumers and businesses. State governments have set up these agencies to help resolve disputes between traders and consumers. These agencies are called Consumer Redressal Agencies. These agencies will help you to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. These organizations also help the traders prevent future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry. There are 17 such agencies in India that resolves disputes related to goods and services. The list of Consumer Redressal Agencies in India are as follows. – National Commission for Consumer Protection (NCCP) – National Consumer Helpline – Indian Council for Arbitration (ICA) – Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGS) – Forum for Enlightened Consumers (FEC) – The Consumer Rights Counseling Centre (CRC) and the Indian centre for Environment and Food Security (ICEF)
National Commission for Consumer Protection (NCCP)
The National Commission for Consumer Protection (NCCP) was formed in 1996. It is the Central Government organization responsible for the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The NCCP is located in New Delhi and has regional offices in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram and Raipur. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India. The NCCP works with State Consumer Redressal Agencies to help consumers get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. It also helps the traders prevent future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry.
National Consumer Helpline
The National Consumer Helpline is a toll-free telephone service provided by the National Consumer Commission (NCC). It is a very helpful service that can be used by all consumers, including senior citizens and children. The Helpline was started by the Government of India in 1995. It is a public service that provides information and counseling for consumers about their rights and about how to avoid getting cheated by misleading advertisements, false promises and faulty products or services. The Helpline is also helpful for businesses, providing information on how to comply with consumer protection laws and how to avoid violating those laws. You can contact the Helpline by dialing 1200-33-44-55 or by sending an SMS to 590888 with your name, number and issue. You can also visit their website to get information and report complaints. The Helpline is open from 10 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Saturday.
Indian Council for Arbitration (ICA)
The Indian Council for Arbitration (ICA) was formed in 1994. It is a voluntary organization that is working towards promoting arbitration in India. The ICA has a Dispute Settlement Center (DSC) that offers mediation and arbitration services in all areas of dispute including commercial and financial, construction, intellectual property, insurance, labor law and taxation. The ICA also offers dispute management training and other services related to dispute resolution. The ICA has been recognized by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) as a dispute settlement agency and is authorized to conduct arbitration and mediation in all areas of dispute. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India.
Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGS)
The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGS) was formed in 1988. It is a voluntary organization working for the consumers’ rights through legal and administrative process, consumer education and research. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India. CGS helps consumers to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. It also helps the traders prevent future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry. CGS provides information and counseling for consumers. It also provides guidance to businesses on how to comply with consumer protection laws and how to avoid violating those laws.
Forum for Enlightened Consumers (FEC)
The Forum for Enlightened Consumers (FEC) was formed in 2009. It is a voluntary organization working for the protection and enhancement of the rights of consumers and promoting fair trade practices. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India. FEC helps consumers to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. It also helps the traders prevent future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry. FEC provides information and counseling for consumers. It also provides guidance to businesses on how to comply with consumer protection laws and how to avoid violating those laws.
The Consumer Rights Counseling Centre (CRC) and the Indian centre for Environment and Food Security (ICEF)
The Consumer Rights Counseling Centre (CRC) was formed in 2004. It is a voluntary organization that provides legal assistance to consumers and promotes consumer rights through research and education. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India. The CRC helps consumers to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. It also helps the traders avoid future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry. The CRC provides information and counseling for consumers. It also provides guidance to businesses on how to comply with consumer protection laws and how to avoid violating those laws. The Indian centre for Environment and Food Security (ICEF) was formed in 1994. It is a voluntary organization that works towards conserving the environment and food security through different methods like research and education, consulting, advocacy and legal assistance. It is the main Consumer Redressal Agency in India. The ICEF helps consumers to get fair treatment from businesses and sellers. It also helps the traders avoid future disputes with customers by advising them about fair practices and standards of service for their particular industry.