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The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 got presidential assent on 9th August 2019, and the same came into effect from 20th July 2020 replacing the old Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
India Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 ("New Act") got presidential assent on 9th August 2019, and the same came into effect from 20th July 2020 replacing the old Consumer Protection Act, 1986 ("Old Act"). The purpose of the act is to protect the interest of the consumers and to provide effective and timely settlement of dispute, connected to consumers. The New Act introduced the online filing of complaint and meditation proceeding for the speedy and effective disposal of consumer cases.
Under Section 2 (6) of New Act, Complaint is defined as any allegation in writing, made by a complainant for obtaining the relief provided under the act in case of unfair trade practices, defects in goods, deficiency in service, excess price of goods and services, selling of hazardous goods. Complainant can also claim product liability against the manufacturer or service provider.
The New Act introduces the provision for "Product Liability" under which manufacturer/ service provider is liable to compensate consumers in case of injury caused due to a manufacturing defect/ deficient service.
In the New Act, Central Protection Councils are recognised as advisory bodies to protect and promote the Consumer Rights, which are established at District, State and Central level.
Further, the New Act establishes "Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)" to promote, protect and enforce the right of consumers. CCPA has also been given power under the act to pass orders, prevent unfair trade practices and to impose penalties in case of misleading advertisements. The CCPA includes District Collector, Commissioner of the regional office and Central Authority.
Furthermore, there is an introduction to Alternative Dispute Redressal Mechanism, according to which "Mediation Cells" will be attached to every District, State and Nation Commission.
The District Commission, State Commission and National Commission are the authorities for final adjudication of the matter. If the complainant or opposite party failed to come to a settlement before the CCPA/Mediation Cells, then the complaint can be further dealt by District, State or National Commission.
The following person/association can file the complaint before the designated authorities:-
In the Old Act, there was no mention of the Central Authority, however, the New Act introduces the "Central Authority" in District, State and Central level, which can file consumer complaint before the jurisdictional commission after a thorough investigation in the matter.
The New Act introduces Alternative Dispute Mechanism for the speedy and effective redressal of the consumer cases.
The New Act introduces the "Online Filing" of Consumer Complaint.
Step 1 (Issuance Of Notice): Before the filing of the complaint, it is advisable for the complainant to issue a notice to the opposite party, highlighting the defects/deficiencies in the goods or services provided. If parties don't agree to come to a mutual understanding then the complainant can file a complaint before a jurisdiction authority/forum.
Step 2 (Determining the Jurisdiction): The Complaint has to be filed within the Pecuniary and Territorial Jurisdiction.
Whereas, under old Act, the pecuniary jurisdiction was as below:
Place where the opposite party resides or if there are more than one opposite party, then the place where opposite parties reside or carry on business or personally works for gain.
Step 3 (Submission of Complaint): Complaint can be submitted in the form of Writing or through Online.
Step 4 : (Contents of the Complaint): Complaint should contain the following information
Step 5 (Limitation for filing Complaint/Appeal): The Complaint before the District Commission needs to be filed within the 2 years from the date of dispute. Further, appeal before State Commission to be filed within 45 days from the date of order of District Commission. Further, appeal to the National Commission should be made within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order from the lower forum.
Step 6 (Court Fees): The Court fees have to be paid in the form of Demand Draft, in respect of the Registrar of respective Commissions. In respect of the National Commission, the appellant has to make the Demand Draft of Rupees 5,000/-.
By introducing the online form of complaint, the government has taken a greater step towards resolving/addressing consumers' grievances in a speedy manner. The online procedure can be considered as one of the friendly and fruitful procedure, especially during the time of the pandemic. Further, the addition of alternative dispute resolution mechanism is the step towards the achievement of peaceful settlement between the parties, which will have greater impact on both the consumers and service providers in long term. The Dispute Resolution Mechanism can save the parties from long and tedious procedure, by helping them to find the solution at the initial stage itself.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
