J&K restores Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission after 2 ½ years

 Issues notification for its establishment

By:  Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Government has restored the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) nearly after two-and-a-half years.

The administration of J&K UT has issued a notification under the Consumer Protection Act-2019 for establishment of SCDRC.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 42 of The Consumer Protection Act (35 of 2019), the Government of Jammu & Kashmir hereby establishes the Jammu & Kashmir State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, to be known as the State Commission, for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir,” reads the notification issued by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.

The notification was issued by commissioner secretary, department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Zubair Ahmad on Friday (April 15).

Along with six other statutory bodies, the SCDRC was winded up by the Jammu and Kashmir Government on October 31, 2019- the day when Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories.

The Commission was disbanded because the state law under which it was established was repealed by the Parliament when it enacted The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019.

The SCDRC consists of a president not less than four or not more than such number of members.

As per The Consumer Protection Act-2019, the State Commission shall have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services paid as consideration, exceeds rupees one crore, but does not exceed rupees ten crore.

It is vested with powers to hear complaints against unfair contracts, where the value of goods or services paid as consideration does not exceed ten crore rupees.

It has also been empowered to hear appeals against the orders of any district commission within the State.

The orders of the State Commission can be challenged in the  National Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of order passed by it.

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