The Consumer Protection Act, 1986: A Milestone for Consumers

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) is one of the benevolent social legislations intended to protect the large body of consumers from exploitation. The Act has come as a panacea for consumers all over the country and has assumed the shape of practically the most important legislation enacted in the country during the last few years. It has become the vehicle for enabling people to secure speedy and inexpensive redressal of their grievances.

With the enactment of this law, consumers now feel that they are in a position to declare "sellers beware," whereas previously, the consumers were at the receiving end and generally told "buyers beware."

Key Provisions of the Act

The Act postulates the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Council and the State Consumer Protection Councils for the purpose of spreading consumer awareness. The Central Council is headed by the Minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government, while at the State level, it is the Minister-in-charge of Consumer Affairs in the State Government who heads the State Council.

Consumer Dispute Redressal Mechanism

To provide cheap, speedy, and simple redressal to consumer disputes, quasi-judicial machinery has been set up at each District, State, and National levels called District Forums, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, respectively.