ગ્રાહક સુરક્ષા બિલ : ગ્રાહકોને નવા 5 ફાયદાઓ કયા મળે છે, વાંચો અહીં

1. RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT FROM ANYWHERE

” The new law empowers you to file a complaint with the District Consumer Commission or State Consumer Commission from your place of residence or work instead of the present practice of consumer filing case at place of purchase or where the seller has its registered office. This will reduce harassment of consumers. A complaint can also be filed at the district commission by a recognised consumer body or by multiple consumers with the same interest. Consumer affairs ministry will frame rules for filing of complaints electronically and will also specify norms for paying the required fee digitally.

• RIGHT TO SEEK COMPENSATION UNDER PRODUCT LIABILITY

A complainant can file a case against a product manufacturer or seller for any loss caused to him or her on account of a defective product. This applies to all services as well. The manufacturer shall be held liable if there is a manufacturing defect or if there is deviation from the manufacturing specifications or the product does not conform to the express warranty The new law recognises “sharing personal information of consumers” as an unfair trade practice. The provision brings e-commerce under its ambit.

• RIGHT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AS A CLASS

A complaint relating to violation of consumer rights or unfair trade practices or misleading advertisements, which are prejudicial to the interests of consumers as a class, may be forwarded either in writing or in electronic mode, to any one of these authorities — the district collector or the commissioner of regional office or the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for class action.

• RIGHT TO SEEK A HEARING THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING

The law says every complaint shall be heard by district commission on the basis of an affidavit and documentary evidence placed before it. If an application is made for hearing or for examination of parties through video conference, the commission can allow this.

• RIGHT TO KNOW WHY A COMPLAINT WAS REJECTED

The commission cannot reject a complaint without hearing the complainant. The commission has to decide about admitting or rejecting a complaint within 21 days. If the commission doesn’t decide within the time limit, it shall be deemed to have been admitted. If the consumer commission finds that a settlement is possible, it can direct both the parties to give their consent to have the dispute settled through mediation.