Introduction:
-Even though we have the Consumer Protection Act and much other legislation
passed by the government to protect the interest of consumers, consumer
exploitation is not restricted. As a matter of fact, the judiciary system alone
cannot restrict consumer exploitation. So many other ways and means are adopted
for consumer protection. They are as follows:
1. Lok Adalat: -It is one of
the ways to resolve consumer problems. It can also be referred as People's
Court. It is established by the government to settle disputes by compromise. It
is held by state authority, District authority, Supreme Court Legal service Committee, and High Court Legal Service
Committee or Taluka Legal service. It accepts cases pending in regular
courts and can be settled by compromise. No
court fees are charged. If a matter cannot be resolved by compromise.
Some organizations hold Lok Adalat regularly e.g. Railways, electricity Boards,
Telephone Exchanges, Insurance companies in public sector.
2.
Public Interest
Litigation (Janahit Yachika): -Under this
scheme any person can approach court of law in the interest of the public. It
does not involve any individual interest. Its aim is to provide legal remedy to
unrepresented groups of the society. One such group is the consumers.
3.
Redressal Forums: -Under the
Consumer Protection Act, 1986,
Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies have been established by the State and
Central Government. These agencies are District Forum, State Commission and National
Commission. Supreme Court of India
plays the role of the final court of appeal. The main objective of these forums
is to protect the rights of the consumers.
4.
Awareness
Programmes:
-The Government of India has adopted various measures to increase the level of
consumer awareness. The government makes use of journals, brochures, posters,
etc. to convey the message of consumer protection, consumer courts, etc. the
society in general observes World Consumer Rights Day on 15th March and National Consumer Day (of India) on 24th December.
5.
Consumer
Organization:
-Many consumer organizations are active throughout the world as well as in
India. It was realized that just by talking about moral conduct or about code
of fair business practices or even by making legal provisions (supplies), it is not
possible to discipline all the members of the business community, instead, it
is necessary to strengthen the consumer movement.
6.
Consumer Welfare
Fund:
-It is created by the Department of Revenues for providing financial assistance
to voluntary consumer movement, particularly in rural areas. This money is used
in consumer education, complaint handling, counseling, guidance, etc.
7.
Legislative
Measures:
-Indian government has passed many acts to protect consumers. Some of them are
Drug Control Act 1950, prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, Essential
commodities Act 1955, The Standards of weights and Measures Act, etc. An
important act was also the monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1969. This act could not protect the consumers in
real sense. So a more elaborate legislation was passed i.e. the Consumer
Protection Act in 1986. Under this act a consumer can file a suit against any
manufacturer in case of loss due to the use of any product or services.
|
Agency
|
Location
|
Compensation
|
Head
|
|
District
Forum
|
In all district of the State
|
Upto 20,00,000
|
District Judge
|
|
State
Commission
|
In Mumbai
(Maharashtra)
|
above 20,00,000 below 1,00,000,00
|
High Court
Judge
|
|
National
Commission
|
Delhi
|
above 1,00,000,00 (Crore)
|
Supreme Court
Judge
|
