What is Consumer Protection Act? Define

One of the most important laws that is dedicated to protect consumers in India is the Consumer Protection Act. The consumer protection act was introduced in 1986 and was amended afterward in the year 2002. The amendment was made through the Consumer Protection Amendment Act, 2002. In this blog, we will be discussing the protection that is awarded through this act to the consumers.

The Main Objectives of the Consumer Protection Act

The key objectives of the Consumer Protection Act are to avail protection to the consumers and to create a strong method to settle the consumer disputes. The Consumer Protection Act focuses on the following:

1. Protecting the consumer against the marketing of those goods that are dangerous to property and life.
2. Informing the consumer of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of the goods in order to protect them from unfair trade practices.
3. Assuring that the consumer gets access to the authority of goods at competitive costs.
4. Hearing and assuring that the interests of the consumers are receiving proper considerations at adequate forums.
5. Seeking redressal against various unfair trade activities or exploitation of the consumers.
6. Ensuring the education of the consumers.

Consumers

As per the Consumer Protection Act, a consumer is defined as a person who buys goods and services for his/her use and for selling. Moreover, a consumer can use the purchased goods and services by the consent of the individual who makes the purchase. All kinds of goods and services including banking, e-commerce, insurance, telecom,electricity and transportation in both public and private sectors.

When and How to file a complaint?

A consumer has the right to raise a complaint in writing under the Consumer Protection Act in one of the following conditions:

1. A trader or service provider is involved in some restrictive or unfair trade practices.
2. The goods purchased by the consumer have one or more defects.
3. The services offered or hired by the consumer have a deficiency in any aspect.
4. The price of the goods and services asked by the trader or service provider is more than the price specified under a certain law or the price that is shown on the goods or the package of goods or the price agreed by the two parties or the price that is displayed on the exhibited list under a certain law.
5. The trader offers goods which are dangerous to property and life.
6. The service provider offers services that may prove to be hazardous to the safety and life of the consumers if used.

Process to file a consumer case

In order to file a consumer complaint, the consumer has to file the complaint with the District Forum in writing along with the specified fee. When the District Forum receives a complaint, it can either approve or reject the consumer complaint generally within 21 days from the filing of the consumer complaint. Also, a copy of the consumer complaint will be made available to the opposite party for approval within 45 days.

The efforts have been to monitor all the consumer cases as efficiently as possible. Moreover, it has been tried to decide the complaint within 3 months from the date of receiving the notice by the opposite side. Therefore, if the complaint is unable to appear before the District Forum on the hearing date, then the complaint may get dismissed during the proceedings.

Conclusion

In his blog, we came across the Consumer Protection Act and the consumers. We also discussed the objectives of the Consumer Protection Act and the reasons for filing a consumer complaint along with the process to file the same.