PRESENTAION ON CONSUMER

MOVEMENT & CONSUMER

PROTECTION ACT-1986

By: JAVED IQBAL

MBA 2nd (A)
The Consumer Protection Act 1986 is a social
welfare legislation which was enacted as a
result of widespread consumer protection
movement. The main object of the legislature
in the enactment of this act is to provide for
the better protection of the interests of the
consumer and to make provisions for
establishment of consumer councils and
other authorities for settlement of consumer
disputes and matter therewith connected. 
The Consumer movement is a socio-economic movement that
seeks to protect the rights of the consumers in relation to the
goods purchased and services availed. Government has accorded
high priority to the program of consumer movement & consumer
protection. The Department of Consumer Affairs being a nodal
Department in the field of consumer protection has initiated a
number of steps to promote a responsible and responsive
consumer movement in the country. Such measures include the
use of mass media for promoting consumer awareness and
encouraging consumers' involvement through Governmental and
non-governmental organizations etc.
 The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (68 of 1986) is a milestone in the history of socio-
economic legislation in the country. It is one of the most progressive and comprehensive
pieces of legislation enacted for the protection of consumers. All the provisions of the
Consumer Protection Act. 1986 came into force with effect from 1.7.1987 throughout the
country except in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The State of Jammu & Kashmir has
enacted its own legislation in this field. Protection
        The Consumer Act, 1986 is a unique piece of legislation as it provides a separate
three-tier quati-judicial consumer dispute redressal machinery at the national, state and
district level. The Act is intended to provide simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal of
the consumers' grievances.  In terms of the Act, the Central Government first constituted
the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) on 1.6.1987 and it has been
reconstituted from time to time. The CCPC was last constituted in May, 2003 for three
years. So far, the Council has held 23 meetings. The last meeting was held on
16.7.2003. The State Govts./UT Administrations are required to establish the Consumer
Protection Councils at the State level as well as at District levels to strengthen consumer
movement a the grass root level.
 The right to be protected against marketing of goods
which are hazardous to life and property.
 The right to be informed about the quality, quantity,
potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to
protect the consumer against unfair trade practices .
 The right to be assured, wherever possible, access to
a variety of goods at competitive prices.
 The right to seek redressal against unfair trade
practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.
 The right to consumer education
The consumer protection Act, 1986, provides for the better
protection of consumers. Unlike existing laws which are
punitive or preventive in nature, the provisions of this Act
are compensatory in nature. The act is intended to provide
simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal to the
consumers' grievances, award relief and compensation
wherever appropriate to the consumer.
The consumer protection act provides
for a three-tier consumer
disputes redressal system
encompassing the District, State and
National levels.
  The office of the district forum shall be at the Head
Quarters of the respective district. The District Forum
consists of the President, who is nominated by the
Government and who is or has been or qualified to be
a District Judge and two other members (one is a lady
member) of eminence in the field of education, trade
or commerce. They hold office for a term of 5 years
whichever is earlier and they are not eligible for
reappointment. The pecuniary jurisdiction of the
forum is less than 5 lakh rupees ie, value of goods of
services and compensation if any claimed.
   The President of the State Commission is or had
been a Judge of a High Court. There are two other
Members who are person for ability, integrity and
standing with adequate knowledge or experience in
Economic, Law, Commerce, Accountancy, Industry,
Public affairs or administration. One Member shall be
a woman.

Complaint value of goods or services and
compensation exceeds rupees five lakhs but does not
exceed Rs.10 lakhs. It also hears appeal against orders
of district forum
 The national commission shall consist of a person who
is or who has been a judge of the supreme court
,appointed by the central government and two other
member who shall be person of ability, integrity and
standing and have adequate knowledge or experience
of or have shown capacity in dealing with problem
relating to economics, law, commerce, accounting,
industry, public affairs or administration, one of whom
shall be a woman.
 A complaint where the value of the goods or services
and the compensation is more than 10 Lakh dealt
with.
In general, the rights of consumers in India can be listed as
under:-ACT1986

* The right to be protected from all types of hazardous goods

and services
* The right to be fully informed about the performance and
quality of all goods and services
* The right to free choice of goods and services
* The right to be heard in all decision-making processes
related to consumer interests
* The right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have
been infringed
* The right to complete consumer education
THANK YOU