Question
Explain, in brief, any six remedies available to consumers under Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Or
State any six reliefs available to consumers on the complaint made by them under Consumer Protection Act.
Or
Reena purchased one litre of pure Deshi Ghee from a shopkeeper. After using it she had a doubt that it is adulterated. She sent it for a laboratory test which confirmed that the Ghee is adulterated. State any six reliefs available to Reena, if she complains and the consumer court is satisfied with the genuineness of the complaint.
Solution
Under this Act, remedies available to consumers are as follows:
- Removal of Defects: If after proper testing the product proves to be defective then the ‘remove its defects’ order can be passed by the concerned authority.
- Replacement of Goods: Orders can be passed to replace the defective product by new non-defective product of the same type.
- Refund of Price: Orders can be passed to refund the price paid by the complaint about the product.
- Award of Compensation: If because of the negligence of the seller a consumer suffers physical or any other loss, then compensation for that loss can be demanded for.
- Removal of Deficiency in Service: If there is any deficiency in the delivery of service then orders can be passed to remove that deficiency. For instance, if an insurance company makes unnecessary delay in giving the final touch to the claim, then under this Act orders can be passed to immediately finalize the claim.
- Discontinuance of Unfair/Restrictive Trade Practice: If a complaint is filed against unfair/restrictive trade practice then under the Act that practice can be banned with immediate effect. For instance, if any gas company makes it compulsory for a consumer to buy a gas stove with the gas connection then this type of restrictive trade practice can be checked with immediate effect.
