National Consumer Rights Day is observed on 24 December annually with a particular theme across the country.
The Consumer Protection Act, of 1986 received the assent of the president on this day. No doubt it is considered a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.This day also provides awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities. Who is a consumer? A consumer can be anyone who purchases goods or services and pays for them in return.
What are the Consumer Rights in India?
6 basic rights are guaranteed by the Consumer Protection Act namely:
- Right to Safety,
- Right to be Informed,
- Right to Choose,
- Right to be Heard,
- Right to Seek redressal,
- Right to Consumer Education.
About Consumer Protection Act, 2019 It was passed by Parliament in 2019 and came into force in July 2020. It replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Act includes the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect, and enforce the rights of consumers.
Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) empowered to: - Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints/prosecution. - Order recall of unsafe goods and services. - Order discontinuance of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. - Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
Liability of the Product It will be the responsibility of a manufacturer or product service provider or product seller to compensate for injury or damage caused due to defective product or deficiency in services.
What is the punishment for the manufacture or Sale of Adulterated/Spurious Goods?
A competent court may suspend any license in case of first conviction issued to the person for a period of up to 2 years. And in case of second or subsequent conviction, the license may be cancelled permanently. About Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Mediation - Consumer Commission for Mediation refers to complaints wherever the scope for early settlement exists and parties agree to it. - The mediation will be held in the Mediation Cells and established under the ages of the Consumer Commissions. - No appeal against settlement through mediation. Consumer Dispute Adjudication Process (Simplification) - Empowers the State and District Commissions to review their own orders. - It enables a consumer to file complaints electronically and in consumer commissions that have jurisdiction over the place of his residence. - If the question of admissibility is not decided within the specified period of 21 days, then there will be video-conferencing for hearing admissibility of complaints.
- By Swastik Daga
