Answer-2:

Features of Consumer Protection Act 1986

1. This Act is applicable on both goods and services. Goods are manufactured by the
manufacturer and consumer buys them from manufacturer or seller. Services
include transport, electricity, water; roads, etc. are under this Act.
2. Consumer Redressal Forum-Under Consumer Protection Act, the three judicial
systems has been set up to provide relief to consumers. In this system, consumer
forums have been set up at various levels which are functioning to safeguard the
interests of consumers. Under this system, many forums and commissions have
been set up at various levels where consumers can lodge their complaints.
I. At district level there is District Consu-mer Dispute Redressal Forum. It is headed
by a judicial officer equivalent to Session Judge. He is assisted by two members.
Cases involve compensation up to 20 lakhs are entertained in this forum.
II. At state level there is State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. It is
headed by a judicial officer equivalent to High Court Judge. He is also assisted by
two members. Here cases involve compensation of 20 lakhs to one crore are
entertained.
III. At national level there is National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission. It is
headed by a Judge of Supreme Court. He is assisted by four members. Here cases
involve compensation above one crore are entertained. National Commission has
jurisdiction for appeals coming up against orders of State Commission. Supreme
Court is the final deciding authority.
3. Under this Act there is provision to settle the complaint within three months of
filing it. If the complaint needs laboratory testing, the period is extended to five
months.
4. In Consumer Protection Act, clause VI defines the rights of the consumer which
have been already discussed in the previous chapter.
5. There is no fee for lodging a complaint. Even poor people can get justice.
6. The clause II of this Act has defined some terms used by Consumer Protection Act
like:
I. Defect-it is any fault or shortcoming in quality, quantity, purity, potency, or
standard fixed by the government.
II. Deficiency-it is any fault, shortcoming or imperfection in quality or performance.
III. Unfair Trade Practice-it is unfair and deceptive procedure used to promote sale or
supply of goods and services like lottery, chit fund, conducting competitions, etc.
IV. Restricted trade practices.
Unfair Trade Practice and Restrictive Trade Practice
According to the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 unfair trade
practice means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use

or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method
or unfair or deceptive practice including the practice of making any statement,
whether orally or in writing or by visible representation which falsely represents that
the goods are of a particular standard, quality, quantity, grade, composition, style or
model; falsely represents that the services are of a particular standard, quality or
grade; falsely represents any re-built, second-hand, reno-vated, reconditioned or old
goods as new goods; makes a false or misleading representation concern-ing the
need for, or the usefulness of, any goods or services etc. permits the publication of
any advertisement whether in any news-paper or otherwise, for the sale or supply
at a bargain price, of goods or services that are not intended to be offered for sale
or supply at the bargain price. Bargaining price has been defined as a price that is
stated in any advertisement to be a bargain price, by reference to an ordinary price
or otherwise, or a price that a person who reads, hears or sees the advertisement,
would reasonably understand to be a bargain price having regard to the prices at
which the product advertised or like products are ordinarily sold. The Act defines
restrictive trade practice as a trade practice which tends to bring about
manipulation of price or conditions of delivery or to affect flow of supplies in the
market relating to goods or services in such a manner as to impose on the
consumers unjustified costs or restrictions and shall include delay beyond the
period agreed to by a trader in supply of such goods or in providing the services
which has led or is likely to lead to rise in the price; any trade practice which
requires a consumer to buy, hire or avail of any goods or services as condition to
buying, hiring or availing of other goods or services.