Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018

The Lok Sabha has passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 on 20th December 2018, which will replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.  The Bill seeks to enforce consumer rights and to offer a mechanism for complaint redressal related to the deficiencies in goods and services.

Key points about the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018

• The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions will be set up at District, State and National levels as per the bill passed.
• The District Commissions will have the mandate to hear complaints having claim worth one crore rupees. In the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 this limit was 20 lakh rupees.
• The limit of the Commissions’ at the State level enhanced from 1 crore rupees to 15 crore rupees.
• Complaints above 15 crore rupees worth of claim will be settled by the National Commission.
• The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 has provisions for stringent punishments in the matters of food adulterations.
• The Bill has the provisions to protect those consumers who use new digital technologies likes e-commerce and online shopping.
• The Bill seeks to establish a central consumer protection authority (CCPA) which will be tasked with promoting, protecting and enforcing consumer rights.

The main objective of the said bill is to protect of the interests of consumers and to provide effective administration and timely settle consumer disputes. Now, the bill will move to Rajya Sabha for passage.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2018