In Brief
An exporter claimed a premium of Rs 1,23,223 under an REP licence granted under the Exim Policy (1988–1991) after the scheme was discontinued. The exporter filed a consumer complaint seeking the premium and compensation. The Supreme Court held that providing incentives under the Exim policy is an exercise of fiscal policy and regulatory control over foreign trade, not a service within the Consumer Protection Act. Therefore, an exporter is not a 'consumer', and consumer forums lack jurisdiction to entertain such claims. The appeal was allowed and the NCDRC's judgment was set aside.
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