What is Consumer Protection Act 2019?
The Indian government passed the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to address issues connected to consumer rights violations, unfair business practices, deceptive advertising, and other situations that are detrimental to consumers’ rights. Because of the advancement of technology and the dramatic rise in the purchase and sale of products and services online over the past several years, the Parliament intended the Act to contain protections for e-consumers.
What is the goal that Consumer Protection Laws are trying to achieve?
The main objective of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide better protection of consumers and establish a strong mechanism for the settlement of consumer disputes. The Consumer Protection Act seeks right to:
- Protect against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and property;
- Inform about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices;
- Assure, wherever possible, access to an authority of goods at competitive prices;
- Hear and to assure that consumers interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums;
- Seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers;
- Consumer education.
What is the need for Consumer Protection Act, 2019?
By creating Consumer Protection Councils to resolve disputes should they occur and to give sufficient compensation to consumers in the event that their rights have been violated, the Act aims to better safeguard the rights and interests of consumers. Additionally, it offers quick and efficient handling of customer concerns through alternative dispute resolution procedures. The Act also encourages consumer education to inform consumers of their rights, obligations, and options for resolving complaints.
When can we file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?
According to the Consumer Protection Act, a client may file a written complaint if:
- Any dealer or service provider engaging in a restricted or unfair business activity;
- He purchased or agreed to purchase things that had one or more flaws;
- The services he has hired, accessed, or has committed to employing, accessed, suffer from deficiencies in some way;
- According to the circumstances, the trader or service provider has overcharged for the products or services indicated in the complaint:
a) Fixed by or pursuant to any legislation now in effect;
b) Shown on the products or any packaging that contains them;
c) Displayed on the price list he displayed by or as required by any already in force legislation;
d) A deal reached by the parties; - Selling people products that, when utilised, pose a threat to their health and safety
- Providing services that, when utilised, pose a threat to public safety and life.
How can we file a complaint under this law?
Consumers must submit any written complaints they may have regarding goods or services to a District Forum along with the required fee. Within 21 days of the complaint’s receipt, the District Forum has the option to accept or reject the claim. On the other side, the opposing party will receive a copy of the complaint in order for permission to be given within 45 days.
The goal is to hear every consumer case as quickly as feasible. In addition, it is attempted to resolve the complaint within three months of the date the opposing party received notice. Therefore, the District Forum may either reject the complaint regarding default or determine it on the merits if the complainant does not attend during the procedures on the day of the hearing before the District Forum.
Conclusion
The updated Consumer Protection Act of 2019 provides consumers with a wide range of advantages and rights to safeguard them against unfair business practices, false or misleading advertising, etc. Additionally, the Act added new concepts like “product responsibility” and “unfair contracts,” broadening the extent of protection for consumers’ rights and enabling them to protest when such rights have been infringed.
