(1) Every State Government shall, by notification, establish with effect from such date as it may specify in such notification, a State Consumer Protection Council for such State to be known as the State Council.
(2) The State Council shall be an advisory council and consist of the following members, namely:-
(a) the Minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the State Government who shall be the Chairperson;
(b) such number of other official or non-official members representing such interests as may be prescribed;
(c) such number of other official or non-official members, not exceeding ten, as may be nominated by the Central Government.
(3) The State Council shall meet as and when necessary but not less than two meetings shall be held every year.
(4) The State Council shall meet at such time and place as the Chairperson may think fit and shall observe such procedure in regard to the transaction of its business, as may be prescribed.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 6
Section 6 mandates the establishment of a State Consumer Protection Council (State Council) in every State and Union Territory by the respective State Government. It mirrors the advisory function of the Central Council at the provincial tier, providing localized policy guidance, regional market surveillance, and inter-departmental coordination to safeguard consumer interests within the State.
Litigators engaged in state-wide class actions or writ petitions challenging regional commercial irregularities (such as unregulated coaching institutes, local real estate cartels, or municipal service deficiencies) should petition the State Council under Section 6. A formal resolution or inquiry report from the State Council can be placed on record before the State Commission or High Court as prima facie evidence of widespread consumer detriment.