9 Essential Remedies Available to Consumers under Indian Consumer Protections Act
Under this Act, the remedies available to consumers are as follows:
(a) Removal of Defects:
If after proper testing the product proves to be defective, then the ‘remove its defects’ order can be passed by the authority concerned.
(b) Replacement of Goods:
Orders can be passed to replace the defective product by a new non-defective product of the same type.
(c) Refund of Price:
Orders can be passed to refund the price paid by the complainant for the product.
(d) Award of Compensation:
If because of the negligence of the seller a consumer suffers physical or any other loss, then compensation for that loss can be demanded for.
(e) Removal of Deficiency in Service:
If there is any deficiency in delivery of service, then orders can be passed to remove that deficiency. For instance, if an insurance company makes unnecessary delay in giving final touch to the claim, then under this Act orders can be passed to immediately finalise the claim.
(f) Discontinuance of Unfair/Restrictive Trade Practice:
If a complaint is filed against unfair/restrictive trade practice, then under the Act that practice can be banned with immediate effect. For instance, if a gas company makes it compulsory for a consumer to buy gas stove with the gas connection, then this type of restrictive trade practice can be checked with immediate effect.
(g) Stopping the Sale of Hazardous Goods:
Products which can prove hazardous for life, their sale can be stopped.
(h) Withdrawal of Hazardous Goods from the Market:
On seeing the serious adverse effects of hazardous goods on the consumers, such goods can be withdrawn from the market. The objective of doing so that such products should not be offered for sale.
(i) Payment of Adequate Cost:
In the end, there is a provision in this Act that the trader should pay adequate cost to the victim concerned.
