Monsoon Session: Govt to introduce new consumer protection law

Government plans to introduce a bill in Monsoon Session which seeks to create an independent authority to fast-track grievance redressal of consumers on the lines of institutions in the US and European countries.
The measure is likely to get the nod of Union Cabinet this week. The recent controversy over detection of excess content of lead and MSG (Monosodium-glutamate) in Maggi seems to have given a momentum to the move.
The new law provides for punishment up to life imprisonment in certain cases of food poisoning and also has a provision for product liability.
The decision to push the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Monsoon Session was taken in a meeting of Secretaries of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislative Department of Law Ministry on July 9.

This is one of the 11 new bills that the government plans to introduce in this session besides taking up nine other bills pending in the Rajya Sabha and four bills pending in the Lok Sabha.
Sources in Government said that it wants to make consumer protection rules in India at par with global standards.

Many changes have been made in the current law to protect consumer rights and simplify the judicial process to ensure speedy and inexpensive justice, the source added.
If any consumer complaint affects more than one individual, that issue will go to the Consumer Protection Authority, which will have the power to recall the product and cancel the licenses.

The provision will be applicable to a cross section of products ranging from cars to flats.