New consumer protection bill targets to reduce cost and time of litigation

New Delhi, Dec 26 (KNN) The Consumer Protection Bill-2018, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, has various provisions to reduce the cost of litigation and make it less time consuming, C R Chaudhary, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs has said.

The new bill, which aims to replace the prevailing Consumer Protection Act of 1986, will be placed before the Rajya Sabha for the approval.

Speaking on the occasion of National Consumer Day on December 24, Chaudhary said, "Quick disposal of cases is essential as justice delayed is justice denied and for this purpose quasi-judicial system is being strengthened and streamlined."

While talking about deemed admissibility of complaints, mediation, and expansion of various definitions of unfair trade practices in the new law, he said that the new bill has various provisions to reduce the cost of litigation and make it less time consuming.

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), President, Justice R K Agrawal said the new bill has many provisions that will empower consumer commissions as well as administration to ensure justice can reach the door of the consumer in time.

Addressing the gathering, Consumer Affairs Secretary, Avinash K Srivastava said that the government has taken several steps, including the strengthening of national consumer helplines and consumer courts, with new infrastructure to reduce cost and ensure timely redressal of consumer grievances.