'Bill on Consumer Protection Act may be passed in Budget

Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said his ministry has almost finalised the amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and the Bill is likely to be passed during the upcoming Budget session.
"We are already working on the amendments to be brought in the Consumer Protection Act and taking suggestions from the stake-holders," Paswan told reporters after visiting the office of Central Warehousing Corporation at JNPT here.
"The draft Bill is almost ready. We hope to bring it in the Cabinet within this month and the Bill may be passed during the Budget session," he said.
The minister said that misspelling advertisement and e-commerce will come under the amended Act, which aims to give more power to the consumers.

To ensure speedy, inexpensive and simple dispensation of justice for the consumers, the government has also decided to set up a National Consumer Protection Authority (NCPA) with all the executive and enforcement powers for redressal of consumer grievances and to take penal action against defaulting companies, he said.
"We are also planning to make consumer forums more simple so that one does not need a lawyer for presenting the case. We are also looking at speedy disposal of cases," Paswan added.
The minister said the government wants to create a 'Common National Market' that will help contain prices in case monsoon wrecks havoc in some parts of the country.

"As this is a state subject we have asked the state governments to give their suggestions. We have received positive response from them for amendments to APMC Act and to create a Common National Market that will help in controlling prices and ensuring easy availability of essential commodities in case of any crisis like weak monsoon in some parts of the country. We are expecting their replies before Budget session," Paswan said.