Justice through consumer courts: Glass still half full for Indian consumers

While several rulings have strengthened the cause of consumer protection, obtaining justice through consumer courts remains an arduous task

The Consumer Protection Act of 1986 was a landmark development. It was meant to bypass the overburdened civil and criminal courts and offer speedy and inexpensive redress for consumers' grievances in a simplified format. This World Consumer Rights Day, consumer activists however say that the initial promise of the Act remains only half fulfilled.

Strong pro-consumer rulings: Many of the pro-consumer rulings of State Commissions have strengthened the cause of consumer protection. To cite a couple of examples, the Maharashtra State Commission was the first to rule that telecom-related complaints come under the Consumer Protection Act. The matter went to the