Act 1986 (COPRA)

Act (COPRA) Nowadays, the consumers’ grievances and dissatisfactions grow largely. Consumers themselves did not have any effective mechanism or institutional arrangement for the speedy redressal of their grievances. Lack of effective popular movement isolated the consumer and so his plight is increased. Sensing the pressure mounting from various consumer protection groups and consumers themselves, the Central Government enacted a comprehensive law called the Consumer Protection Act in . This Act came into force with effect from . . . This Act was further amended in . The Act is referred in short as ‘COPRA’. The Consumer Protection Act seeks to protect and promote the interests of consumers. The act provides safeguards to consumers against defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices, and other forms of their exploitation. The object of the act is to provide for the better protection of the interests of the consumer courts for the settlement of consumer’s disputes and all matters connected there with. The Consumer Protection Act is of great importance. It is the latest to be adopted. It is applicable to public sector, financial, and cooperative enterprises. Recently even medical services have been brought under its scope. The Act shall apply to all goods and services across board. The Consumer Protection Act does not create rights or liabilities, but it has emerged as new forum for the settlement of disputes relating to the sale of goods or services. The loss claimed by the consumers must be a loss resulting from on some “deficiency of service” or “defect in the goods.” The Act provides for the setting up of a three tier- machinery, consisting of District Forums, State Commissions, and the National Commission. It also lays down rules for formation of consumer protection councils in every District and State and at the apex level. Salient features of The Indian Consumer Protection Act, The salient features of the Indian Consumers Protection Act, are listed below i. Protecting consumers against products and services which are harmful to the health of consumers. ii. Protecting consumers from the breach of contract by sellers / manufacturers. iii.