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This case of In Re Pay And Allowance Of The Members Of The U.P. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission., outlines a Supreme Court directive aimed at standardizing the salaries and allowances for Presidents and Members of State and District Consumer Commissions across India. The court notes a significant disparity in remuneration among different states, which it believes hinders the effective functioning of these crucial consumer dispute redressal bodies established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The 2019 Act grants State Governments the power to make rules regarding various aspects, including the salaries and allowances of consumer commission members. However, it also allows the Central Government to frame model rules, which would apply until states formulate their own. The Central Government, in 2020, introduced the Consumer Protection (Salary, allowances and conditions of service of President and Members of the State Commission and District Commission) Model Rules, 2020.

The Supreme Court, exercising its power under Article 142 of the Constitution, has intervened due to the wide variance in state-specific rules, leading to some members receiving very low remuneration. The court emphasizes that proper remuneration is essential for these authorities to discharge their duties effectively.

Therefore, the Supreme Court has directed that Rule 4 of the Model Rules be followed by all States and Union Territories with specific modifications. These modifications aim to link the pay and allowances of the Presidents and Members of the State and District Commissions to those of District Judges (super-time scale and selection grade) and a sitting High Court Judge for the State Commission President, respectively, as per the recommendations of the 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission.

Key directives include:

• State Commission Members to receive pay and allowances admissible to a District Judge in super-time scale.
• District Commission Presidents to receive pay and allowances admissible to a District Judge in super-time scale, as per 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission.
• District Commission Members to receive pay and allowances admissible to a District Judge in Selection Grade at entry level, as per 2nd National Judicial Pay Commission.
• Rules 7-9 of the Model Rules concerning allowances and perquisites will not apply to these categories, as they will receive those attached to the corresponding District Judge posts.
• "Last pay drawn" will be protected if higher than the newly prescribed amounts.
• Pension amounts will be deducted from the pay.
• Artificial distinctions like "part-time" vs. "full-time" or "judicial" vs. "non-judicial" for remuneration purposes are not valid; all individuals discharging duties will be treated as full-time.
• The directions apply uniformly, but if any State/UT is paying more, it shall remain protected.
• The revised pay and allowances are effective from July 20, 2020, with arrears to be released within six months.
• States and UTs are permitted to amend their rules to conform to these directions.

The case is scheduled for September 22, 2025, for compliance reporting.

  Consumer Protection Act, 1986