WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
: Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan urged Lok Sabha members to pass the new Consumer Protection Bill without debate, saying it is a “revolutionary” and “non-controversial” measure aimed at benefiting consumers.
Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour on consumer rights, he said at present consumers have to face problems getting their rights. He added that the new consumer protection Bill pending in the Lok Sabha has several provisions to help consumers get their rights at the earliest.
He urged the Opposition as well as Parliamentary Affairs Minister to bring the Bill for passage as the session would come to an end in the next two days.PTI
What is the Consumer Protection Bill 2018?
The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 was introduced by the Government in the Lok Sabha on January 5, 2018, considering the current challenges posed by online marketing and similar transactions.
The objective of the Bill is ‘‘to provide for protection of the interests of consumers and for the said purpose, to establish authorities for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumers’ disputes’’.
This pending Bill will replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 if it is passed in Parliament.
The Bill covers transactions, both online and offline, and includes tele-shopping and multi-level marketing.
The Bill’s primary features include establishment of an executive agency that will be known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
The CCPA will be set up in order to '’promote, protect and enforce the rights of the consumers'’. The CCPA will also deal with unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. It will also be '’empowered to investigate, recall, refund and impose penalties’'.
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