The proposed changes in the Consumer Protection Act, India
By DoctorDidi
@DoctorDidi (7018)
India
September 23, 2012 12:29am CST
The Consumer Protection Act in India is going to undergo some amendments. According to the proposed changes in it, every customer should be provided with a cash receipt even if the consumer does not ask for it. Failure to issue cash receipt would henceforth constitute an unfair trade practice. The amendment also strikes at the very root of the ubiquitous, unilateral condition printed on the cash receipts of retailers, that ‘goods once sold cannot be taken back or exchanged’. The proposed amendment gives the consumer the right to return the goods and get a refund from the trader. It is not still clear how the proposed changes would ultimately shape into but if properly implemented, it would definitely be a boon to the customers. Isn’t it? But common people must be aware of it to get the best out of it?
3 responses
@myl999 (2093)
• India
24 Sep 12
off course this will bring a revolution to consumerism in India but still there are more changes required to fulfill the requirement that is delivering consumer justice.But yes like other laws in India consumer laws is also moving ahead to give better market experience and will be rescued when required..it is more protection to the consumers in India but still a bundle of flaws are there which needs to be discussed...
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
25 Sep 12
I agree with you. But it is no doubt a positive approach by the government and so we should welcome it and at the same time should hope more such laws to be enforced by the government to curb the malpractice of a majority of the traders.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
23 Sep 12
Doctordidi:
It is good in one way. Consumers can exchange the goods if they are defective. But again it depends on how learnt are the consumers. Some of them may use it fully even change its position and then ask for refund. In advanced countries it is already there--this provision for exchange -- in fact in big shops like costco separate counters are allotted for this purpose. let us see whether it helps genuine consumers? The point that receipts are to be issued is a good one. this will avoid tax evasion,
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
25 Sep 12
Yes, the first and foremost thing is that the consumers must be made aware of their own rights, mere amendment of any law is useless unless it is availed by those for whom the amendment has been made. So it would be properly campaigned to make people aware of it and then properly supervised by the authority to see if it is followed by the traders. Then only it can be made fruitful to the consumers.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
25 Sep 12
yes, unless properly implemented, it has no value. We must hope that the government should also be serious about the proper implementation of the amended law.
