Consumer Protection Bill, 2019:
The consumer protection bill was enacted in the year 1986 for the very first time in the country to empower the customers.
If we look at the journey from the year 1986 to 2015(originally the bill was bought out), altogether there is paradigm shift in the market, and apart from the traditional methods many new market variants are available to cater to the needs of the consumer like online sales, teleshopping, multilevel marketing, and direct selling.
The Lok Sabha has passed the Bill after the due consideration and discussion. Shri Ram Vilas Paswan (Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution), said the bill aims to protect the interest of consumers by establishing proper authorities (Central Consumer Protection Authority) to address consumer disputes and aim for speedy justice. The government is also aiming to simplify the entire consumer grievance process and make it hassle-free to enhance consumer protection and also build trust among the consumers.
Features of the Bill:
Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): It will work towards investigation into the violation of consumer rights and keep the track of complains/ prosecution, order recall of the unsafe goods and services, abolition of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements and impose penalties on the companies, organization or individual for not working as per the guidelines and as per the contracts.
Hassle-free and simplified Dispute Resolution Process: Once the bill is implemented District Commission can handle the lawsuits up-to 1Cr, State Commission can handle the lawsuits up-to 1Cr-10Cr, and National Commission can handle the lawsuits up-to above 10Cr. Deemed admissibility after 21 days of filing the complaint. Consumer commission can be approached by filing from the place of residence, E-filing, Videoconferencing for hearing too.
Mediation: Through Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism will be adopted to settle the dispute without litigation such as arbitration, mediation, or negotiation and this will also reduce the cost to the consumer. Mediation cells will be attached to the consumer form and referenced where ever there will be a scope of early settlement exits. There will be no requirement of any appeal against settlement through mediation.
Product Liability: Product seller, service provider or manufacture will be held responsible for the injury or damage caused by defective product or service.
The bill aims to protect consumers from misleading information. If in case the consumer suffers from any kind of issues with the product or service, once should be listened and must be compensated for the damages caused due to bad service or product.
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER: NEWSWIRE
OFFICIAL PROMOTIONAL PARTNER: IBS MESSENGER
Comments