What is the consumer protection council?

 

What is the consumer protection council? 

CONSUMER PROTECTION – MEANING: It means protecting the consumers from unfair and restrictive trade practices adopted by the seller of goods and services. The consumer protection Act in India was originally passed on 24th December in the year 1986. The act was briefly amended in the year1991, 1993,2002 and 2019. A completely revised bill on consumer protection was introduced in the parliament on July 8, 2019. It was passed by Lok Sabha on July 30, 2019, Passed by Rajya Sabha on August 06, 2019, and got the Assent of the president on 9th  August 2019.

CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL- provision for consumer protection council has been provided in Chapter – ll of Act, 2019. The consumer protection council is an advisory body. This means it will tender to advise towards bringing necessary policy changes to the Central and state government towards the protection of rights and interests of consumers. Spreading awareness is the duty of the consumer protection council. Making people aware of misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices. Consumer education is the most important work of the consumer protection council. It has been established at three-level Central, State, and District.

CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL -The Central government shall by notification establish a council to be known as the Central consumer protection council, referred to as the Central council. {Section 3(1) ].Central consumer protection council will consist of: chairperson + official members +unofficial members. The minister-in-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs as chairperson, and Several numbers of other official or non-official members representing various interests as prescribed as well as nominated by the Central government. According to rule three of consumer protection rules, 1987 the Central council shall consist of 150 members. Eight members of the parliament (5 from Lol Sabha and 3 from Rajya Sabha), Secretary of the national commission for SC ST, Representative of consumer organization, Representative of women, Representative of farmers trader and industries.   The Central Council shall meet as and when it is necessary, but at least one meeting of the council shall be held every year. {section 4(2) ].The Central Council shall meet at such time and place as the Chairman may think fit and shall observe such procedure in regards to the transaction of its business as may be prescribed by the Central government. The object of the Central Council shall be to promote and protect the rights of consumers such as The right to be protected against the marketing of goods that are hazardous to life and property. The right to be informed about the quality, identity, purity, standard, and price of goods and services, to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices, The right to choose from a variety of goods and services at competitive prices. 

STATE CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL- (section 6 )  every state government is empowered to establish a State consumer protection counsel for the state to be known as the State Council (section 6.1)  The state council shall consist of Minister – in – charge of Consumer Affairs in the state government as the chairperson and several numbers of other official and non-official members The number of such other official and non-official members not to exceed ten, as may be nominated by Central Government. The state council is required to meet as and when necessary but not less than two meetings are held every year. The state council shall meet at times. E and place as determined by chairperson and should observe the procedure in regards to the transaction of its business, as prescribed under rules and regulations.  As per section 7 of the act  - The object of every state council is to render advice on the promotion and protection of consumer rights under this act within the state. 

DISTRICT CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL -The provisions for the establishment of the District consumer protection council were made by the consumer protection (amendment) act, 2002. The state government shall establish the district consumer protection council through the official Gazette to be known as the district council.  The ‘District Council ‘ shall consist of the Collector of the district as chairperson, and several numbers of official and non-official members representing various interests as prescribed under rules and regulation and to be nominated by the state government. The district council is required to meet as and when necessary but not less than two meetings are held every year.  The District Council shall meet at such times and place within the district as the Chairman may think fit and shall observe such procedure regarding the transaction of its business as may be prescribed by the state government.