The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by Parliament in 1986 to protect the interests of consumers in India. It is replaced by the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
It aims to check unfair trade practices' 'defects in goods',and ‘deficiencies in services' and has led to a widespread network of consumer fora and appellate courts all over the country.
The Act provided six rights to consumers :
- Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices.
- Right to be heard and be assured that their interests receive due consideration at an appropriate forum.
- Right to be assured wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
- Right to be informed about the quality, standard, price of goods and services.
- Right to be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.
- Right to consumer education.
To ensure consumer rights, Consumer Disputes Redressal System included a threetier level i.e.,
- National Consumer Commission (set up by the central government).
- State Consumer Commission (set up by each State).
- District Consumer Forum (in each district of the State).
The redressal agencies (consumer courts) set up were. Central Consumer Protection Council and State Consumer Councils. Consumer courts are special-purpose courts dealing with cases involving consumer disputes, conflicts and grievances.
