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Consumer Protection Bill likely to pass during Monsoon Session
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SME Times News Bureau | 20 Jul, 2018
The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, which seeks stringent action
including jail terms for misleading advertisements and adulteration
along with time-bound redressal of consumers grievances, is likely to be
passed during ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Bill
also introduces provisions related to product liabilities, unfair trade
practices and contracts, and enhances pecuniary jurisdiction of the
Consumer Dispute Redressal Commissions.
While the existing
Consumer Protection Act, 1986, includes all goods and service while the
new Bill also cover offline and online transactions through electronic
means or by teleshopping or direct selling or multi-level marketing.
After
the new Bill is passed, which was introduced in Lok Sabha in January,
manufacturers will be held responsible if a defects in goods have caused
physical damage, injury or death.
In case of death of a
customer is caused by adulteration, provision of punishment of at least
seven years has been made in the new Bill.
It also seeks
establishing of a Central Consumer Protection Authority while retaining
the Consumer Protection Councils at the district, state and national
level as per the existing Act.
The Authority can punish any
manufacturer or service provider who causes a false or misleading
advertisement with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years
and with fine which may extend to Rs 10 lakh.
And for every subsequent offence, imprisonment term may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to Rs 50 lakh.
The
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said the Bill was critical to
differentiate between the roles and responsibilities of small and
genuine retailers.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said
the distinction would prevent genuine retailers from being unfairly
targeted for no fault of theirs.
"The new Bill intends to close
the gaps with regard to protection of consumer rights including the time
taken in settling disputes, an ability to reach to the manufactures for
product liability and curb misleading advertisements," he said.
Ashim Sanyal of non-profit Consumer VOICE said blatant misleading advertisements had become a norm.
"Thus
the only way to protect consumers from falling prey is to introduce
authoritative powers, strengthening of consumer forums, class action
suits, penalties and host of other measures exists in the draft
amendment bill," he said.
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