Question

The Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986 to protect the interest of the consumers. Have you heard or read about the Consumer Courts ? Find out how the Consumer Court functions. Will you go to a Consumer Court if a shopkeeper cheats you? Discuss in the classroom.

Answer 1

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted to protect consumers against defective goods, deficient services and unfair trade practices. It has since been replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which came into force in 2020.

How Consumer Courts function:

1. Consumer disputes are heard by Consumer Commissions at three levels:
   • District Consumer Commission
   • State Consumer Commission
   • National Consumer Commission
2.  A consumer can file a complaint regarding defective goods, poor services, overcharging or unfair trade practices.
3. Bills, receipts, warranty cards and other supporting documents should be submitted with the complaint.
4. The Commission hears both the consumer and the seller or service provider.
5. If the complaint is proved, it may order repair, replacement, refund, compensation or other suitable relief.
6. Consumers can also first register grievances through the National Consumer Helpline.

If a shopkeeper cheats me:

Yes, I would approach the appropriate Consumer Commission if the shopkeeper refuses to resolve a genuine complaint. I would keep the bill and other evidence and seek redressal for my grievance.

Consumers also have the Right to Redressal, which allows them to seek relief against unfair trade practices.