Original definition limited to

purchases for personal consumption The consumer is the one who pays to consume the goods and services produced.

Consumer protection is a group of

laws and organizations designed to ensure the rights of consumers as well as fair trade competition and the free flow of truthful information in the marketplace Consumer protection laws are a form of government regulation, which aim to protect the rights of consumers

Section !"#!d#!ii# of the act Consumer means any person who hires or avails of any services for a consideration which has $een paid or promised or partly paid and partly promised or under any system of deferred payment.

Section

!"#!o#of the act Service means service of any description which is made availa$le to potential users .%ealth care services will $e service, if they are o$tained for consideration.

Section

!"#!o# of the act &and that in the event of any deficiency in the performance of such services , the aggrieved party can invoke the remedies provided under the act $y filing a complaint $efore the consumer forum having 'urisdiction.

 (rotect from hazard to health )

safety* (romote ) protect economic interests* (rovide ade+uate information for informed choice* Consumer education* (rovide effective redress,formal and informal procedures*

-pplica$ility -mendments

-mendments in the year "../ -mendments in the year

00

Two kinds of consumer under the Act Consumer of goods $uys or agrees to $uy goods any user of such goods
Consumer of services

hires or avails any services any $eneficiary of such service

Unfair trade practice Restrictive trade practice Defects Deficiencies

C N!U"ER! NEED PR TECTI N A#AIN!T

UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE 1isleading pu$lic a$out price !e.g. $argain price when it is not so#. Charging a$ove 12( printed. 1isleading pu$lic a$out another3s goods or services. 4alsely claiming a sponsorship, approval or affiliation. Offering misleading warranty or

RE!TRICTI$E TRADE PRACTICE (rice fi5ing or output restraint re6 delivery7flow of supplies to impose un'ustified costs7restrictions on consumers. Collusive tendering* market fi5ing territorially among competing suppliers, depriving consumers of free choice, fair competition.
Supplying only to particular distri$utors or on

condition of sale only within a territory.

8elaying in supplying goods7services leading

to rise in price.

 DEFECT! An% fau&t' imperfection or shortcoming in the

(ua&it%' (uantit%' potenc%' purit% or standard which is re(uired to )e maintained )% or under an% &aw for the time )eing in force or under an% contract e*press or imp&ied or as is c&aimed )% the trader in an% manner whatsoever in re&ation to an% goods+
DEFICIENC, An%

fau&t' imperfection' shortcoming or inade(uac% in the (ua&it%' nature and manner of performance which is re(uired to )e maintained )% or under an% &aw for the time )eing in force or has )een undertaken to )e performed )% a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in

 2ight to safety against hazardous goods

and services
2ight to $e informed a$out +uality,

+uantity, purity, standard, price

2ight

to choose from a variety at competitive prices

2ight to $e heard 2ight to seek redressal 2ight to consumer education

Consumer Disputes Redressa&

Forums !8istrict 4orum#

Claims less than or e+ual 2s. 0 lacs.

Consumer Disputes Redressa&

Commissions !State CommissionClaim more than 2s. 0 lacs ) less than

2s." crore ) appeals.

Nationa& Consumer Disputes

Redressa& Commission !9ational Commission#

Claim e+ual to 2s." crore ) appeals

.ho can fi&e a comp&aint .here to fi&e a comp&aint /ow to fi&e a comp&aint .hat constitutes a

comp&aint0 Procedure for fi&ing the appea&

 Name and fu&& address of comp&ainant Name and fu&& address of opposite part% Description of goods and services 1ua&it% and (uantit% Price Date 2 proof of purchase Nature of deception T%pe of redressa& pra%ed for

The redressal agency have a three:tier structure. "# 8istrict level 6 at this forum person can claim for compensation towards damage upto a ma5imum limit of 2s 6 ; lakh .- district 'udge and other mem$ers chair this of which one of whom shall $e a women.

 ! # State level6 -t this level the claim for

compensation is enhanced to 2s6 ; < 0 lakhs ) high court 'udge ) other mem$ers chair it. !/# 9ational level6 %ere the compensation claimed is more than 0 lakhs .This forum constitutes of a supreme court 'udge ,= other mem$ers.

>ithin /0 days from the date of decision

,appeal can $e filed in the higher commision ". -ppeal against district forum $efore state commision . .-ppeal against state commision $efore national commision. /.-gainst national commision $efore supreme court.

?enefit 8isposal within .0 days 9o ad'ournment shall ordinarily $e granted : Speedy trial 2elief 2emoval of defects in goods or deficiency in services. 2eplacement of defective goods. 2efund against defective goods or deficient services. Compensation.

Consumer (rotection -ct provide for $etter protection of the interests of consumer ) for that purpose to make provision for the esta$lishment of consumer councils ) other authorities for settlement on consumers disputes ) for matters connected therewith.