‘Review’ Powers Of Consumer Comissions

Under the old Consumer Protection Act of 1986, originally Consumer Commissions had no power to review. Vide an amendment in the year 2002,  the power of review was given to National Commission only. The District Forums and the State Commissions were not given similar powers.[Read Rajeev Hitendra Pathak vs. Achyut Kashinath 2011 (9) SCC 541 ]

Now, Section 40, 50 and 60 of the new Consumer Protection Act 2019, provides ‘review power’ to District, State and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions. Together, these provisions can be read as follows:

The District/State/National Commission shall have the power to review any of the order passed by it if there is an error apparent on the face of the record, either of its own motion or on an application made by any of the parties within thirty days of such order.

Thus, a Consumer Commission

(1) Consumer Commission can review an order if there is an error apparent on the face of the record.

(2) Review can be suo motu or on an application made by a party

(3)Such review power has to be excercised within 30 days of the order.