The Consumer Protection Act 1986 was enacted to protect consumer interests and provide better redressal of consumer disputes. It recognizes various consumer rights such as the right to safety, information, choice, being heard, and seeking redressal. The Act established consumer protection councils at district, state and national levels. It also set up a three-tier system for consumer dispute resolution - district forums, state commissions, and a national commission.
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Consumer Protection Act1986
The Consumer Protection Act 1986 was enacted to protect consumer interests and provide better redressal of consumer disputes. It recognizes various consumer rights such as the right to safety, information, choice, being heard, and seeking redressal. The Act established consumer protection councils at district, state and national levels. It also set up a three-tier system for consumer dispute resolution - district forums, state commissions, and a national commission.
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Consumer protection Act1986
The act was enacted for providing better
protection to the interests of the consumers. The act also provided for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumer disputes. Consumer rights The Act recognizes some specific rights of consumers, that these rights are enforceable and in case of violation of these rights by manufactures and traders ,punishment would be awarded for the default. The rights include- 1. The right to safety
This right recognizes the right of a consumer to
be protected against marketing of goods which are hazardous to the life and safety of a person. Eg manufacturing and distributing adulterated food. 2. The right to information Right to information relates to the right of a consumer to be informed about the quality, quantity, purity and price of the goods so as to be protected against unfair and restrictive trade practices. 3. The right to choose The right to choose gives the consumer wide variety choices in the manner of accessing and availing products and services at cheap prices. 4. Right to be heard Consumer disputes should be heard and decided upon at appropriate forums. The principle is that no one should be condemned unheard. 5. The right to seek redressal A consumer can seek adequate remedy against unfair trade practices. 6. The right to consumer education He has the right to education this include the right to information ,comparative advantage of the product, his right and remedies under the Act etc… The objectives of the Act are to be achieved by the consumer protection councils which are established at the district, state and central levels Restrictive trade practices Restrictive trade practice means a trade practice which is bringing some restrictions like manipulation of prize or its conditions of delivery Eg Unnecessary delay in supplying the goods (which may be for increasing the price) Imposing unnecessary conditions precedent to buying or selling etc Unfair trade practice This include 1. Falsely represents that the goods are of a particular standard, quality, quantity, grade, composition, style, or model. 2. Falsely represents that the services are of a particular standard, quality or grade. 3. Falsely represents that any re built , second hand , reconditioned or old goods as new goods. 4. Falsely represents that the goods or services have some sponsorship or approval of some authorities. 5. Falsely represents the seller has some sponsorship or approval . 6. Making a false statement regarding the usefulness of the product. 7. Making a false statement regarding warranty or guaranty of the product or service 8. Giving false or misleading facts regarding the goods and services of another trade. 9.A bare promise to replace , maintain or repair an article. Consumer protection councils The act provides for the establishment of a central consumer protection council by the central govt and state consumer protection council in each state by respective state govt. In addition to this there will be district consumer protection council in respective districts of each state. Central council Established by the central govt Composition
-The central minister in charge of consumer
affairs - The minister of state in charge of consumer affairs - 8 members of parliament - Representatives of the consumer organisations for consumers - such other official and non official members appointed by central government. - representatives of woman -Representatives of farmers, trade and industries. Etc.. Council shall consist of 150 members. Term of the council The term of the council shall be 3 years Object of the council Object of the council shall be to protect the right of consumers as discussed earlier. State council Established by the state govt Composition Minister in charge of consumer affairs who shall be the chairman. Such number of official and non official members prescribed by the state govt Objects Same as that of central council ie protecting the consumer rights. District council Established by state govt in each district Composition Collector shall be the chairman Such other members appointed by the state govt. Object shall be the same . Consumer dispute redressal agencies The act provides for a three tier mechanisms for the redressal of consumers in case of dispute. These are- Consumer redressal forum by the state govt in each district known as District forum Consumer redressal commission by respective state govt known as State commission National consumer redressal commission by central govt known as National commission District forum A person who is or has been a judge of district court who shall be the president. In addition to this there will be two other members one shall be a woman member. Term of office is 5 years Pecuniary jurisdiction- Upto 20 lakhs Powers – All the powers of a civil court Appeals- To state commission State commission A person who is or has been a judge of a high court who shall be the president and two other members one shall be a woman member. Term office is 5 years Pecuniary jurisdiction – above 20 &upto 1 crore. Appeals – to national commission National commission A person who is or has been a judge of supreme court shall be the chairman and not less than four members one of them shall be a woman member. Term of office is 5 years Pecuniary jurisdiction – above one crore Appeals – to Supreme court.