Lok Sabha passes Consumer Protection Bill

The Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 was passed by the Lok Sabha today.
The main objective of the bill is to protect the interests of consumers by instituting authorities for timely and competent administration, and settlement of consumers’ dispute.

The bill requires the Central government to set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority in order to protect, promote and enforce consumer rights. The Central Consumer authority will be vested with the power to impose penalties on a manufacturer or an endorser to a maximum of 10 lakh rupees and imprisonment of up to two years, in cases of misleading and false advertisements.

Also Read: Is a finance bill a money bill?

The bill also empowers the authority to make interventions whenever necessary to prevent the unfair trade practices, and initiate class-action which may include return, refund and recall of products. Additionally, the Bill also provides for provision to set up Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at the district, state, and national levels.

Justice Anjushree Juyal, who adjudicates consumer cases in Uttrakhand hailed the passing of the bills as a much-needed reform, and a way for quick redressal of the aggrieved consumers.

Read the full text of the bill.

The nature of business over the years has changed, and consumers today stand a chance of being exploited easily in the online retail age. The bill hopes to holistically safeguard the rights of the consumers.

h

You May Also Like

Taxation of dividend income received on or after 1 April 2020 (FY 2020-21)

You may receive a dividend from your equity or mutual fund investments.…

Know the taxation rules for income F&O trading

Futures and options are stock derivatives that are traded in the stock…

Important Cash Transaction Limits and Penalties Under Income Tax That You Need to Know About

In India, there are a lot of transactions that go unaccounted for,…
Gold Jewellery

24K Gold Rate in India for November 2019: Week 4

The fourth week began with the gold rate in India holding at…