NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT MOVING TOWARDS THE DIFFERENT HORIZON

Abstract

The Consumer Protection Act, enacted by parliament in 1986 as replacement of Sales of Goods Act, 1930 had been protecting consumers from unfair and unjust trade practices of traders from 35 years. During these 35 years, the way as well as choice of consumers have changed considerably. From having products next to door to online window shopping, life of consumers as well as producers have witnessed a significant variation. The old legislation did not provide the provisions for modern technology which is used by consumers and producers for purchasing and selling products. The new act eliminates the odds of old act and provides benefits like transparency of e-commerce companies, e-filing of complaints, e-commerce including restrictions on misleading advertisements. The new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 aims at delivering justice to consumers by giving them opportunity to not pay a single penny to claim the damages upto Rupees 5lakh. Speedy dispute resolution is also granted under this act, SCRC and NCRC are authorised to deem into any terms of contract between consumer and manufacturer, service provider. As it was mentioned in older act 1986 that consumer can only file complaint where opposite party resides, but now through the new act, the consumer can file complaint where lives.