consumer protection act

2. Consumer Protection Act has been implemented(1986) or
we can bring into existence to protect the rights of a
consumer. It protects the consumer from exploitation that
business practice to make profits which in turn harm the
well being of the consumer and society.
This right help to educate the consumer on the right and
responsibilities of being a consumer and how to seek help
or justice when faced exploitation as a consumer. It teaches
the consumer to make right choices and know what is right
and what is wrong.

4. The basic rights of consumers as per the
Consumer Protection Act (CPA) are:
1. Right to safety.
2. Right to be informed.
3. Right to choose.
4. Right to representation (or to be heard).
5. Right to seek redressal.
6. Right to consumer education.

5.  To provide adequate information to the seller: The consumer has the
responsibility to provide adequate information about his needs and expectation
to the sellers.
 To exercise caution in purchasing: The consumer must try to get full
information on the quality, design, utility, quantity, price, etc. of the product
before purchasing it.
 To insist on cash memo or receipt: The consumer must get a cash memo or
receipt as a proof of purchase of goods from the seller. This would help him in
making a complaint to the seller in case of any defect in the goods.
 To file complaint against genuine grievance: The consumer must file a
complaint with the seller or manufacturer about any defects or shortcoming in
the products and services.
 To be quality conscious: The consumer should never compromise on the
quality of goods. While making purchases, the consumers must look for standard
quality certification marks such as ISI, Agmark, Woolmark, FPO, etc. For
example, electric iron must carry ISI mark.

6. The main objectives of the Act are to:
Ensure fair, competitive and responsible markets that work
well for consumers and promote ethical business practices.
To promote and protect the economic interests of consumers.
To improve access to information that consumers require, to
make informed choices according to their individual needs.
To protect consumers from hazards to their well being and
safety.

7. Branch Office:
Any establishment described as a branch by the opposite
party.
Complainant:
 A consumer
 Any voluntary consumer association registered under the
Companies Act, 1956 (1of 1956)or under any other law
for the time being in force.

8. Complaint :
Any allegation in writing made by a complainant
that—
 An unfair trade practice or a restrictive trade
practice has been adopted by any trader or service
provider.
 The goods bought by him or agreed to be bought
by him; suffer from one or more defects.

9. Consumer :
Any person who—
Buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or
promised or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system
of deferred payment and includes any user of such goods other
than the person who buys such goods for consideration paid or
promised or partly paid or partly promised, or under any system
of deferred payment when such use is made with the approval of
such person, but does not include a person who obtains such
goods for resale or for any commercial purpose

10. Consumer Dispute:
A dispute where the person against whom a complaint has
been made, denies or disputes the allegations contained in the
complaint.
Defect:
Any fault, imperfection or shortcoming in the quality, quantity,
potency, purity or standard which is required to be
maintained by or under any law for the time being in force
under any contract, express or implied or as is claimed by the
trader in any manner whatsoever in relation to any goods.

11. Deficiency:
Any fault, imperfection, shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality,
nature and manner of performance which is required to be
maintained by or under any law for the time being in force or has
been undertaken to be performed by a person in pursuance of a
contract or otherwise in relation to any service.
District Forum:
A Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum established under clause
(a) of section 9.
Goods:
Goods as defined in the Sale of Goods Act, 1930 (3 of 1930)

12. Manufacturer:
A person who—
 Makes or manufactures any goods or part thereof.
 Does not make or manufacture any goods but assembles parts thereof
made or manufactured by others.
Member:
The President and a member of the National Commission or a State
Commission or a District Forum, as the case may be.
National Commission:
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission established under
clause (c) of section 9.
Notification:
A notification published in the Official Gazette.

13. Person:
 A firm whether registered or not
 A Hindu undivided family
 A co-operative society
 Every other association of persons whether registered under the Societies Registration
Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or not.
Prescribed:
Prescribed by rules made by the State Government, or as the case may be, by the Central
Government under this Act.
Regulation:
The regulations made by the National Commission under this Act.
Restrictive trade practice:
A trade practice which tends to bring about manipulation of price or conditions of delivery
or to affect flow of supplies in the market relating to goods or services in such a manner
as to impose on the consumers unjustified costs or restrictions and shall include—
(a) delay beyond the period agreed to by a trader in supply of such goods or in
providing the services which has led or is likely to lead to rise in the price;

14. Service:
Service of any description which is made available to potential users and
includes, but not limited to, the provision of facilities in connection with
banking, financing insurance, transport, processing, supply of electrical or
other energy, board or lodging or both, housing construction,
entertainment, amusement or the purveying of news or other information,
but does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a
contract of personal service.
Spurious goods and services:
Goods and services which are claimed to be genuine but they are actually not
so.
State Commission:
A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
established in a State under clause (b) of section 9.

15. Trader:
In relation to any goods means a person who sells or
distributes any goods for sale and includes the
manufacturer thereof, and where such goods are sold or
distributed in package form, includes the packer thereof.
Unfair trade practice:
A trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the
sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of
any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or
deceptive practice.

16. For enforcement of the rights of the consumers, the Act
has created special consumer courts. As Act provides for
a three-tier consumer grievance redressal machinery with
the District Forums at the base, the State Commission at
the middle level and the National Commission at the apex
level. The state and national level bodies also function as
appellate authorities. Any verdict given by the National
Commission can be challenged in the Supreme Court.

17. The District Forum
State Commission
National Commission

18. National
Commission
StateCommission District Forum
A complaint can be
made when the value
of goods and services
along with
compensation claimed
exceeds Rs. 1 Crore.
A complaint can be
made when the
value of goods and
services along with
compensation
claimed exceeds
Rs. 20 lakhs but
does not exceed Rs.
1 Crore.
A complaint can be
made when the
value of goods and
services along with
compensation
claimed does not
exceeds Rs. 20
lakhs.

19. Thank You