Consumer Protection Unit

The Consumer Protection Division is mandated to implement the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Rules/Regulations made under the Act. It is entrusted with framing policies related to the protection of consumers' interests, particularly concerning grievances arising from the post-sale of goods and services.

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, provides for a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at District, State, and Central levels, commonly known as “Consumer Commissions”, to protect consumers'rights and provide simple and speedy redress for consumer disputes,including those related to unfair trade practices. The Consumer Commissions are empowered to provide specific relief and, where appropriate, award compensation to consumers.

The CP Act, 2019 also provides for establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA); simplification of the adjudication process in the Consumer Commissions; online filing of a complaint from the consumer  commision having jurisdiction over the place of residence/work of the consumer irrespective of the place of transaction, virtual hearing; deemed admissibility of complaints if admissibility is not decided within 21 days of filing; provision of product liability; penal provisions for manufacture/sale of adulterated products/spurious goods; provision for making rules for prevention of unfair trade practice in e-commerce and direct selling etc.

 This Division is having administrative control over National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) i.e. apex body of consumer commissions.

The Division administers “e-jagriti” component of the “Consumer Protection” Central Sector Scheme. Besides, this division is also a nodal division for e-jagriti portal i.e. (https://e-jagriti.gov.in/).