The Centre is planning to amend suitably the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) 1986 to insulate the consumers from deceitful exploitation and fleecing for commercial gains, Union Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, said here on Friday.
Indicating the Centre’s determination to ensure a fair deal to consumers, Mr. Paswan told the media that intense consultations were under way to revisit the schedules of the Act and it was possible the amendments could be introduced in the next session of Parliament itself. In that connection, his Ministry had called for a meet of the National Consumer Council, State consumer forums, related officials, and agencies in New Delhi on May 29 to discuss the requirements and gaps among other consumer-related issues that needed to be filled in the Act.
Stating that he was not happy with the functioning of the consumer courts, Mr. Paswan said they would be toned up by adopting appropriate measures soon..
Reiterating the Centre’s zero tolerance to adulteration, especially in consumables, Mr. Paswan said that adulterers would not be spared and would be taken to task.
