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A complaint(( Section 2(6), Consumer Protection Act, 2019)) can be filed electronically to the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism portal (INGRAM), or offline with the consumer protection authorities such as district or state commissions to seek relief for consumer rights violations. Further there are helplines as well as phone based applications one can use to register complaints. If the complaint is not resolved, you can take the help of a lawyer to approach the consumer forums as the next step.
Complaint Process: Telephone
Step-1: Check if you are a Consumer under the law
The complainant should be a consumer or an association of consumers(( Section 35(1), Consumer Protection Act, 2019)).
Step-2: Call the Helpline Number
Consumers can call the National Consumer Helpline: 1800-11-4000 or 14404 to register a complaint, except on national holidays. Alternatively, complaints can also be registered through SMS on + 91 8130009809.
Step-3: Give details about the Complaint
Name, contact details and address of the complainant and the seller must be mentioned to the helpline authority, along with the details of the complaint. The authority will register your complaint and give you a Unique Grievance ID.
Step-4: Track your Application
The grievance is then forwarded to the concerned seller, company, regulator, or authority for action. The action taken is updated against each grievance. Your grievance can be tracked with your Grievance ID by calling the helpline or through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism portal.
Step-5: Resolution of complaint
If your complaint is not resolved, then you can initiate a legal process by approaching the relevant Consumer Forum. The helpline authority can help in clarifying any doubts that you may have about the legal procedure.
E-Complaint Process: Internet (INGRAM Portal)
The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched a portal known as the Integrated Grievance Redress Mechanism (INGRAM) for bringing all stakeholders such as Consumers, Central and State Government Agencies, Private Companies, Regulators, Ombudsmen and call centres etc. onto a single platform. The portal will also help in creating awareness among consumers to protect their rights and inform them of their responsibilities. Consumers can register their grievances online through this portal.
Step-1: Check if you are a consumer under the law
The complainant should be a consumer under the law, meaning someone who is a consumer of a product or an association of consumers.
Step-2: Register on the INGRAM Portal
The complainant must register themselves as a consumer on the INGRAM portal. The complainant must fill in the required details and documents(( Rule 12(1), Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020))to register their complaint, such as name and address of the complainant and the seller, the facts of the dispute and the relief that the complainant seeks(( Rule 12(1), Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020)). A one time registration is required for lodging a grievance. For registration, go to the web portal http://consumerhelpline.gov.in and click on the login link. Sign up giving the details required, and verify through your email. The user id and password are created. Using this user id and password, enter the portal and fill in required details of the grievance, attaching necessary documents (if available).
Step-3: Pay the Fee
The complainant must pay the fee(( Section 35(2), Consumer Protection Act, 2019))(if applicable) for complaint registration through digital payment mode, or apps like BHIM App, UMANG App to the respective Consumer Commissions in accordance with the value of the goods(( Rule 7(2), Consumer Protection (Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions) Rules, 2020)).
Step-4: Track your Application
Every grievance is registered and a Unique Grievance ID is issued. The grievance is forwarded to the concerned company, regulator, or authority for action. The action taken by them is updated against each grievance. The grievances filed can be tracked through the INGRAM portal.
Consumer Courts/Forums
Through the INGRAM portal, efforts are made to ensure that the grievance is redressed by taking up with the authorities concerned, which may be a company, ombudsman etc. However, if the issue is still pending, a consumer has a choice to approach the appropriate consumer court or forums with the help of a lawyer. Only complaints that are filed within 2 years since the dispute arose will be admitted for a hearing at the Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions.
