CONSUMER LAW
Consumer Protection Act is one of the main laws that provide protection to consumers in India. The Act was introduced in the year 1986 and then amended in the year 2002 through the Consumer Protection Amendment Act, 2002. In this article, we look at the protection afforded to the consumers through the Act.
Objective of the Consumer Protection Act
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.
Consumer Definition
The Consumer Protection Act defines a consumer as a person who buys goods or services for consideration (NOT for resale). Also, a consumer is who uses the goods and services with the permission of the person who purchases the goods or services. The Act covers all goods and services including banking, e-commerce, telecom, insurance, electricity, transportation in the private and public sector.