Consumer Protection Act is welfare legislation enacted by the govt. of India to empower the consumers of assorted goods and services against arbitrary practices of vendors. It aims to supply rights and benefits to consumers of fine faith and provides them with appropriate machinery for the redressal of their grievances. the varied provisions of the buyer Protection Act that aims to attain the above objectives are analyzed in this article.

Rights Of Consumers Under Consumer Protection Act:

1. To be told of the standard, quantity, potency, purity, standard, and price of products and services.
2. And be assured of access to a range of products or services at competitive prices.
3. To seek restitution for commercial practices that are unfair or restrictive. 

The Authorities Granted By The Act:

The Act establishes a number of agencies whose main purpose is to defend consumer rights.

The Act establishes Consumer Protection Councils under Section 3 at the Central, State, and District level which is solely founded to advise the Central Government, regime, and District Authority for the promotion and protection of consumer rights at different levels.

A Central Consumer Protection Authority under Section 10 of the Act has been provided to be established under the Act to control matters referring to the violation of the rights of consumers, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the interests of the general public and consumers and to market, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a category.

The Act also establishes a region Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under Section 28 called District Commission. A dissatisfied customer may submit a complaint with it over any items sold, delivered, or agreed to be delivered, or any service supplied, or agreed to be provided.

Persons who are entitled to file a complaint with the Commission under the Act include: 

(a) those to whom such goods are sold, delivered, or agreed to be delivered, or those who allege unfair trade practices in relation to such goods or services; and 

(b) those who allege unfair trade practices in relation to such goods or services.

(c) any recognized consumer association, whether the patron could be a member of such association or not;

(d) one or more consumers, where numerous consumers are having the identical interest, with the permission of the District Commission, on behalf of, or for the advantage of, all consumers so interested.

Consumers’ rights are safeguarded when they seek these forums because of the Act’s effective consequences. as example if a consumer is prejudiced thanks to a false or misleading advertisement the manufacturer or the service provider is often punished with imprisonment for 2 years and fine of ten lakh rupees. Similarly, if a consumer has been subjected to grievous hurt thanks to adulteration the manufacturer of such a product will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and with a fine which can touch five lakh rupees. This is a good deterrent against producers or manufacturers adopting unfair practices for furthering their profit.

Benefits for Consumers under the Act:

1. Consumers are protected against the marketing of products and services which are hazardous to life and property.
2. Consumer sovereignty within the choice of products is guaranteed.
3. Consumers are entitled to speedy, simple, and cheap relief under the act.
4. The redressal machinery is obtainable within easy reach to the consumers.
5. The authorities under the act are made chargeable for the protection of certain rights. they’re the correct to safety, right to settle on, right to be heard, and right to consumer education. this can be statute law and is aimed to be progressive.
6. The penalties under the Act help to test arbitrary trade practices in India. Also, it helps in mutual trust within the consumption of products and services in a very consumption-based economy like India.
7. The Act has proposed provisions for product liability. If the merchandise is under defect, then the service provider has got to repay the patron. A manufacturer or a service provider should compensate a consumer if the goods/services cause injury or damage to the patron. This may well be because of a production defect or poor service. this enables compensation to an injured consumer.

Conclusion:

Under the Act, the government has included a slew of consumer-friendly provisions. Hence, the patron Protection Act could be a progressive, welfare legislation that ultimately benefits the consumers of India.