Consumer Protection Act, 2019

The consumer protection act, 2019 is to protect consumers from exploitation and to
safeguard them. For this purpose, it confers certain rights upon consumer under
Section 2 sub section 9 of the act, namely:

 Right to safety

 Right to be informed

 Right to choose

 Right to be heard

 Right to seek redressal

 Right to consumer awareness

A consumer is protected against defect in goods and deficiency in services and as per
Section 2 sub section 42, services include supply of electrical and other energy.

The act provides for setting up of central consumer protection authority under
section 3 sub section 1 whose functions are to protect, promote and enforce
consumer rights, prevent unfair trade practices and publication of false
advertisements.

The act also provides for setting up of:

 National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, where disputes above

rupees ten crore are decided

 State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, where disputes above rupees

one crore and not exceeding rupees ten crore are decided

 Dispute Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, where disputes upto rupees

one crore are decided.

The appeal of order of district commission lies in the respective state commission
and that of state commission lies in the national commission. The appeal of order of
national commission lies in the supreme court. The commission is acivil court under
the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit. Disputes in consumer dispute
redressal commission are settled within a stipulated time period which makes it time
effective for the parties.