New Consumer Act With More Teeth From March 15

The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 will come into force on March 15, 2003, coinciding with the World Consumer Rights Day. The amendments would make the Act more functional and effective.

Services used for commercial purposes were excluded from the preview of consumer courts enabling them to concentrate on providing relief to individual consumers, an official statement said.

The Act provided for creation of benches and appointment of additional members in the National Commission and State Commission and holding of circuit benches.

A time frame had been prescribed for admission of complaints, issue of notices and disposal of complaints.