The Centre will within three months frame rules and set up an authority to implement the newly enacted Consumer Protection Act, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Tuesday.
The minister asserted that representation of all sections will be ensured while nominating members of the authority, and said rules will be framed after consultations with states, members of parliament and other stakeholders.
Earlier this month, Parliament approved ‘The Consumer Protection Bill 2019’, replacing the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The law seeks to revamp the process of administration and settlement of consumer disputes, with strict penalties, including jail term for adulteration and misleading ads by firms.
“Before framing rules, we will hold consultation with MPs later this month. We will also call former consumer affairs secretaries. We will make rules very cautiously to ensure that consumers are safe,” he told reporters here.
Highlighting the provisions of this law, Paswan termed the establishment of Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under this law as “revolutionary” step, giving much needed teeth to this legislation.
He said the authority can suo-motto take congnisance of any consumer issues, initiate investigation and take class action suits.
