1. Consumer Protection Act'86
• An Act to provide for the better protection
of the interests of consumers and for that
purpose to make provision for the
establishment of consumer councils and
other authorities for the settlement of
consumers' disputes and for matters
connected therewith.
2. Consumer Protection Act'86 :
Objectives
• The consumer protection Act, 1986 (68 of
1986) is a milestone in the history of socio-
economic legislation in the country. It is
one of the most progressive and
comprehensive piece of legislations enacted
for the protection of consumers. It was
enacted after in-depth study of consumer
protection laws in a number of countries
and in consultation with representatives of
consumers, trade and industry and extensive
discussions within the Government.
3. • The main objective of the act is to provide for the
better protection of consumers. Unlike existing
laws which are punitive or preventive in nature,
the provisions of this Act are compensatory in
nature. The act is intended to provide simple,
speedy and inexpensive redressal to the
consumers' grievances, and relief of a specific
nature and award of compensation wherever
appropriate to the consumer. The act has been
amended in 1993 both to extend its coverage and
scope and to enhance the powers of the redressal
machinery.
4. The salient features of the Act
• The Act applies to all goods and services
unless specifically exempted by the Central
Government.
• It covers all the sectors whether private,
public or cooperative.
• The provisions of the Act are compensatory
in nature.
5. It enshrines the following rights of
consumers:-
• Right to be protected against the marketing of
goods and services which are hazardous to life and
property.
• Right to be informed about the quality, quantity,
potency, purity, standard and price of goods or
services so as to protect the consumer against
unfair trade practices;
• Right to be assured , wherever possible , access to
a variety of goods and services at competitive
prices;
6. Cont..
• Right to be heard and to be assured that
consumers' interests will receive due consideration
at appropriate forums;
• Right to seek redressal against unfair trade
practices unscrupulous exploitation of consumers;
and
• Right to consumer education
• The Act envisages establishment of Consumer
Protection Councils at the Central and State levels,
whose main objects will be to promote and protect
the rights of the consumers.
7. Structure
• To provide simple, speedy and inexpensive
redressal of consumer grievances, the Act
envisages a three- tier quasi-judicial machinery at
the National, State and District levels.
• National Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission - known as "National Commission".
• Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions
known as "State Commission".
• Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums- known
as "District Forum".
• The provisions of this Act are in addition to and
not in derogation of the provisions of any other
law for the time being in force.
8. Questions
1) Briefly explain the Consumer Protection
Act 1986.
2) Give an introduction to the Consumer
Protection Act.
3) What are the highlights of amended
Consumer Protection Act.
4) How has the government responded to the
consumer protection requirement ?
