Question

Justify the following statement.

The Consumer Protection Act was passed in the interest of consumers.

Answer 1

The Consumer Protection Act came into force in 1986. Thereafter the Ministry of Law and Justice proposed a new act in 2019. The Act has for the first time recognized six rights of the consumer

1. The right to be protected against the marketing of hazardous goods.
2. The right to be informed about the price and features of goods.
3. The right to make a choice out of a variety of goods.
4. The right to make a complaint against unsatisfactory goods.
5. The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices.
6. The right to consumer education. All the above rights are in the interest of the consumer and not the seller.
7. The Act has made provision for the establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the central and state levels for promoting and protecting these rights.
8. The Act has created quasi-judicial machinery consisting of the District Commission, State Commission, and National Commission to entertain complaints and to give fair justice to the aggrieved consumers.
9. The Act prescribes punishment of imprisonment not less than one month, which may extend to 3 years and a fine which shall not be less than Rs. 25,000, which may extend to Rs. 1 lakh or both for the guilty person.
10. The strict enforcement of these rights creates competition among the sellers. Consequently, consumers get quality goods at fair prices. The government has also adopted various measures for raising public awareness about the rights of consumers. Television channels and All India broadcast various programmes to educate consumers.