The Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill 2019 on 30.7.2019 after due consideration and discussion. The bill aims at protecting the interests of consumers by establishing authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumers’ dispute.
It focuses to simplify a number of rules. In recent times, consumers do not get quick redressal of their complaints and with the passage of the Bill; consumers will be able to get speedy justice. The government aims to simplify the entire process of redressal of consumer grievances.
Under the Bill, there is provision for central government to set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers and will be empowered to investigate, recall, refund and impose penalties.
It will regulate matters related to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. There is also a provision for class action law suit for ensuring that rights of consumers are not infringed upon. The authority will have power to impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to 10 lakh rupees and imprisonment for up to two years for a false or misleading advertisement.
The highlight of the bill is the provisions to set up CCPA which could: Conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute Complaints /Prosecution; order recall of unsafe goods and services; order discontinuance of Unfair Trade Practices and Misleading Advertisements and impose penalties on Manufactures /Endorsers /Publishers of Misleading Advertisements.
A manufacturer or product service provider or product seller will be held responsible to compensate for injury or damage caused by defective product or deficiency in services. The party will be liable if the offered product has manufacturing defect, design defect, deviation from manufacturing specifications, not conforming to express warranty, failing to contain adequate instruction for correct use and services provided are faulty, imperfect or deficient.
Consumers will have the option to file from place of residence, can file for a suit via online and will have the option to stand in hearing through Videoconference.