National Consumer Day 2021: Learn history, and Significance of the day here
National Consumer Day 2021:To promote the significance of the consumer movement and raise public awareness about consumers’ rights and responsibilities, December 24 is observed worldwide. We’ll look at it in further depth here.
National Consumer Day 2021 Explained In Detail: On December 24 in India, it is celebrated. On this day, the President of India gave his assent to the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Every year on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day is observed.
In August 2019, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 was passed by the National Assembly. It took effect in July 2020 and replaced the 1986 version of the Consumer Protection Act.
Who is a consumer?
A consumer is anyone who pays for goods or services with the intention of receiving them in return.
What are the Consumer Rights in India?
The eight basic rights guaranteed by the Consumer Protection Act are Right to Safety, Right to be Informed, Right to Choose, Right to be Heard, Rights of Appeal and Hearing, right to seek redressal and consumer education.
About Consumer Protection Act, 2019
It was passed by Parliament in 2019 and took effect July 2020. It replaced the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. The Act establishes the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect, and enforce consumer rights.
Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) empowered to:
The regulator also has the authority to investigate and bring cases against companies for violating consumer rights.
Order recall of unsafe goods and services.
There are a few things you may do. If the answer is no, request that they cease their unfair trade practices and deceptive advertising.
Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
The Act also contains rules for the prevention of unfair commercial practices by e-commerce platforms. The Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020, as notified under this Act, include many provisions with the following wording:
The information that merchants must provide to consumers includes return, refund, exchange, guarantee, delivery, shipment, payment options, grievance redressal mechanism, payment methods, security of payment methods, charge-back choices, and country of origin.
All of this is critical for allowing consumers to make an informed decision before purchasing.
These platforms must acknowledge any consumer complaint within 48 hours and remedy it within a month after receiving it. For consumer complaint resolution, a grievance officer should also be appointed. The e-commerce consumer rules, 2020 are non-advisories and must be followed.
Sellers can’t refuse to take products or withdraw services, nor may they reject refunds if those items are faulty, deficient, delayed, or do not match the platform’s description. The rules are also prohibited by e-commerce companies from manipulating the price of goods or services.
Liability of the Product
It will be the job of a product manufacturer or service provider or product vendor to compensate for harm or loss caused by faulty goods or services.
Product liability action (basis)
- Defect in manufacturing
- Defect in design
- Deviation from manufacturing specifications.
- Not conforming to express warranty.
- Failing to contain adequate instructions for correct use.
- Service provided-faulty, imperfect or deficient.
What is the punishment for the manufacture or Sale of Adulterated/Spurious Goods?
The court may suspend any licence for up to two years upon the individual’s first conviction. The license may be canceled permanently in the event of a second or additional conviction.
About Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanism of Mediation
The Customer Commission for Mediation refers to complaints in which the scope for early settlement is available and both parties consent.
The mediation will be held in the Mediation Cells, which are located beneath the Consumer Commissions’ headquarters.
No right of appeal after settlement through mediation.
Consumer Dispute Adjudication Process (Simplification)
- States and district commissions will now be able to audit their own orders.
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is the federal regulatory agency that protects a consumer’s rights when it comes to lending. It enables a client to file complaints electronically and in consumer commissions with jurisdiction over his home state.
- If the admissibility of an allegation is not resolved within 21 days, the court will proceed to video-conferencing for determining admissibility.
Some other Rules and Regulations
- Under the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Rule, there is no charge for claims up to Rs. 5 lakh (US$ 100).
- The benefits will be credited to the Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF).
- -The State Commissions will provide the Central Government with information on vacant posts, dismissals, case disposals, and other issues on a quarterly basis.
- Apart from these broad regulations, there are also Central Consumer Protection Council Rules. The Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) was established under this law (FCPC).
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority will advise the Union of Ministers of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on consumer issues, with the Minister of State as Vice Chairperson and 34 other members from diverse disciplines serving in an advisory capacity.
- It will also have a three-year tenure. From two States in each region, it will be led by a Minister with responsibility for consumer protection.