The Consumer Protection Act
punjab · 1986
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 1Short title, extent, commencement and applications (1) This Act may be called the Consumer Protection Act, 1986
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the Consumer Protection Act, including "appropriate laboratory," "branch office," "complainant," and "complaint."
- S. 3Section 3 states that the Consumer Protection Act complements, rather than overrides, existing laws.
- S. 4The section establishes a Central Consumer Protection Council to be chaired by the Minister in charge of consumer affairs.
- S. 5Section outlines the meeting procedure for the Central Council under the Consumer Protection Act.
- S. 6Section 6 outlines the objectives of the Central Council to promote and protect consumer rights against hazards, unfair trade, and exploitation.
- S. 7The section establishes a Consumer Protection Council to oversee consumer affairs in the state.
- S. 8Section 8 outlines the objectives of State Councils to promote and protect consumer rights as defined in section 6.
- S. 9Establishes Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies at district, state, and national levels for consumer protection.
- S. 10Section 10 outlines the composition and appointment process for members of the District Forum under the Consumer Protection Act.
- S. 11Section 11 outlines the jurisdiction of the District Forum to handle consumer complaints up to a value of five lakh rupees.
- S. 13Section 13 outlines the procedure for the District Forum to handle consumer complaints regarding defective goods.
- S. 14Section 14 outlines the orders a District Forum can issue if it finds consumer complaints about defective goods or services to be valid.
- S. 15Section 15 allows aggrieved parties to appeal District Forum orders to the State Commission within 30 days, with possible extensions for valid reasons.
- S. 16Section 16 outlines the composition and appointment process for members of the State Commission under the Consumer Protection Act (Punjab).
- S. 17The State Commission has jurisdiction to hear complaints over a specified value and appeals from District Forums.
- S. 18Section 18 outlines the procedure for State Commission dispute resolution and temporary President duties.
- S. 19Section 19 allows appeals to the National Commission against State Commission orders within 30 days, with possible extensions.
- S. 20Section 20 outlines the composition and appointment process for members of the National Commission under the Consumer Protection Act.
- S. 21The National Commission has jurisdiction to handle high-value consumer complaints and appeals, and to review State Commission decisions.
- S. 22The National Commission has civil court powers and can issue orders to resolve consumer complaints.
- S. 23Section 23 allows aggrieved parties to appeal to the Supreme Court against National Commission orders within 30 days, with possible extensions.
- S. 24Section 24 finalizes orders of consumer forums if no appeal is filed, and section 24A sets a two-year limit for filing complaints.
- S. 24BSection 24B outlines the administrative control of the National and State Commissions over State Commissions and District Fora.
- S. 25Section 25 enforces Consumer Protection Act orders like court decrees and allows dismissal of frivolous complaints with costs.
- S. 27Section 27 imposes penalties for non-compliance with orders from consumer forums, including imprisonment and fines.
- S. 28Section 28 protects members and officers from legal action for good faith actions under the Consumer Protection Act.
- S. 29The section grants the Central Government power to issue orders to remove difficulties in implementing the Act, subject to a two-year limit.
- S. 30Section 30 authorizes central and state governments to create rules for specific provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.
- S. 31Section 31 mandates rules made by Central or State Governments under the Consumer Protection Act to be presented to respective legislative bodies for review.