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CPA coming into effect from March 15

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH. 11. The Government has finally decided on the date for the implementation of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act. The law, which was approved by Parliament on November 22 and the President on December 17, is coming into effect from March 15, coinciding with the World Consumer Rights Day.

The much-awaited legislation introduces a whole range of new provisos in the Act to ensure faster disposal of complaints and a more streamlined mechanism to redress grievances.

Specific time frames have been prescribed for admission of complaint, issue of notice and final disposal of the cases.

In addition, it envisages that there shall be no adjournment of cases unless it was totally justified, provides for the service of the notices by courier, fax and other modern means of communication, and excludes services utilised purely for commercial purposes from the purview of consumer courts so that they could concentrate on individual consumers.

The new law also arms the courts with the powers of first class judicial magistrate, enables them to issue interim orders so that immediate relief could be provided in deserving cases and mandates minimum qualification for appointment as members of the courts. One has to be a graduate, and having a minimum of 10 years experience in relevant fields to be appointed as a member of the court.

Further, the scope of the Act has been widened to include sale of spurious goods and services as unfair trade practices, and a provision has been made to allow legal heirs to pursue the cases if the original complainant or the opposite party died.

Besides, there are enabling provisions for creation of benches and appointment of additional members in the national and State commissions and for holding circuit courts. The pecuniary jurisdictions for the district forum has been raised from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs, that of State forum from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore and the national commission from Rs. 20 lakhs to above Rs. 1 crore.

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