Consumer Protection Act 1986

Consumer Protection Act 1986

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, applies to all goods and services to protect interests of consumers in India. The provisions of the Act are compensatory in nature. It has consumer council and other authorities who settle the consumer’s complaint. It covers public, private, joint and cooperative sectors.

Rights under Consumer Protection Act 1986

·         The rights of the consumer such as right to safety, right to be informed, right to be heard, and right to choose, right to seek redressal and right to consumer education.

·         Right to Safety, Can protest goods and services which are hazardous to life and property

·         Right to Choose , access to a variety of goods and services at reasonable prices, an assurance of satisfactory quality and service at fair prices.

·         Right to Information, Consumer can get all information related to goods and services (e.g. Quality, Quantity etc.)

·         consumer interests will receive full and sympathetic consideration in the formulation of Government policy

·         Consumer can complaints the authority for deficiency or unfair trade  in quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services.

·         It empower Indian consumers to fearlessly voice their complaints and concerns against products and companies to ensure their issues are handled efficiently

·         Indian citizen to be educated on matters related to consumer protection

How to file a complaint?

Consumer can file complaint in consumer courts at the national, state or district levels. There are many consumer forums have been established across the country at the national level, district level and the state level

You can approach below government body according to the cost of goods/compensation:
• Upto Rs.20 lac (earlier 5 lac) you can complaint in the District Forum.
• Above Rs.20 lac up to Rs. 1 Crore you can complaint in the State Commission.
•   Above Rs. 1 Crore you can file the complaint in the national Commission in New Delhi.

Fees:

There is some amount of fees that you have to pay. You will get that information from respective consumer courts. It will vary from 100 Rs. to 5000 Rs.

Time:

The complaint is to be filed within two years from the date on which problem have arisen.

Information required for Complaint:

1)    Your Name, Address etc.

2)    Details of the complaint with date, opposite party, place etc.

3)    Documents related to complaint like invoice, warranty etc. and compensation you want.

Detail Address and contact:

·         http://www.fcamin.nic.in

·         http://ncdrc.nic.in