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Consumer Rights

Consumer court orders Rs 500K compensation for unnecessary Covid treatment

The Malappuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a private hospital and a doctor in Kochi to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation for providing unnecessary Covid-19 treatment to a patient who had tested negative. The ruling came in a complaint filed by Soji Reni, a resident of Kakkadampoyil, in Malappuram. According to the complaint, Soji Reni and her husband sought treatment at the hospital on 26 May 2021 for certain health issues. However, the hospital allegedly concealed the fact that she had tested negative for Covid-19 and proceeded with Covid related treatment, causing undue physical and mental distress. According to the complaint, an antigen test was conducted, but the result was indeterminate and later an RT-PCR test was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Despite the test showing negative, the hospital failed to inform the patient and instead proceeded with Covid-19 related treatment, it added. Soji Reni, admitted to the intensive care unit, was unable

Consumer court orders Rs 500K compensation for unnecessary Covid treatment
Updated On : 26 Dec 2024 | 10:35 PM IST

Consumer forum bans persistent loan offers, unsolicited calls by firms

The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has prohibited a finance company from repeatedly harassing a Kochi resident with unsolicited loan offers over the phone. Nithin Ramakrishnan, a resident of Panampilly Nagar in Kochi, filed a complaint with the panel after enduring continuous and intrusive calls from Bajaj Finserv that disrupted his peace of mind. According to the petitioner, despite numerous requests to stop, Bajaj Finserv and its subsidiaries continued making unsolicited calls, causing significant inconvenience. Even after the complaint was filed on March 14, 2023, the company persisted, calling him three to four times daily from different numbers, particularly during work hours. The complainant argued that such actions infringed on his right to privacy and a peaceful life. Despite assurances to include his number on their Do Not Disturb (DND) list, the company failed to address the issue and continued its intrusive behaviour. The Commission found that

Consumer forum bans persistent loan offers, unsolicited calls by firms
Updated On : 19 Dec 2024 | 11:49 PM IST

National Consumer Helpline to launch AI features, partners with 1,000 firms

National Consumer Helpline (NCH) is set to introduce artificial intelligence-based features including speech recognition and multilingual chatbots as part of a major upgrade to its consumer grievance system. The helpline has also announced partnerships with over 1,000 companies to expedite complaint resolution. The new AI capabilities, dubbed NCH 2.0, will allow consumers to file complaints through voice input in their local languages, marking a significant technological transformation of the consumer protection platform that currently operates in 17 languages. The helpline has seen dramatic growth in usage, with monthly calls surging to 141,817 in January 2024 from 14,795 in January 2015. Monthly complaint registrations have tripled to 112,468 in 2024 from 37,062 in 2017. "These technological upgrades are aimed at making the grievance filing process more seamless, efficient, and inclusive," the Department of Consumer Affairs said in a statement. The partnership programme, known a

National Consumer Helpline to launch AI features, partners with 1,000 firms
Updated On : 24 Nov 2024 | 6:22 PM IST

Mangaluru police bust multi-state scam targeting e-commerce giant

The Mangaluru police have uncovered a multi-state, multi-crore scam with the arrest of two men accused of defrauding an e-commerce giant across India, officials said on Saturday. The suspects, Raj Kumar Meena (23) and Subhash Gurjar (27) from Rajasthan, are alleged to be part of a large-scale fraud spanning over 10 states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal described the arrests as a significant breakthrough. A case has been registered at Urwa police station in Mangaluru. The scam, reportedly, involved orders worth Rs 11.45 lakh placed under a false identity. The accused used the name Amith, to place orders, for two high-value cameras and other items, providing a fictitious address near the KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru. Upon delivery, Meena collected the items and provided the OTP while Gurjar distracted the delivery personnel. They, then, swapped the original stickers on the Sony camer

Mangaluru police bust multi-state scam targeting e-commerce giant
Updated On : 02 Nov 2024 | 10:44 PM IST

Govt examining mandatory product disclosures by quick commerce firms

The government is verifying mandatory disclosures on packaged products sold through quick commerce companies, a senior government official said on Tuesday, signalling potential regulatory action against non-compliant firms. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare told reporters the government is examining whether these companies are adhering to the Legal Metrology Act, which requires disclosure of key product information. "We are examining mandatory disclosures on packaged products sold via quick commerce companies," Khare said. The act mandates that packaged goods sold both online and offline must display information including maximum retail price, expiration date, weight, manufacturer details, and consumer grievance addresses. Khare indicated that the Consumer Affairs Ministry may take action against quick commerce companies found to be in violation of these disclosure requirements. The move comes as quick commerce gains popularity in India, with companies promising ultra-fast ..

Govt examining mandatory product disclosures by quick commerce firms
Updated On : 15 Oct 2024 | 4:18 PM IST

Amid rising service complaints, CCPA issues notice to Ola Electric

The notice, issued on October 3, cites the 'potential violation' of key provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Amid rising service complaints, CCPA issues notice to Ola Electric
Updated On : 07 Oct 2024 | 10:56 PM IST

National Consumer Helpline facilitates Rs 1 cr refund to coaching students

The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has facilitated a refund of Rs 1 crore in enrolment fees to students and aspirants of various competitive exams, including UPSC Civil Services and IIT entrance, the government said on Sunday. The refunds were processed at a pre-litigation stage following intervention by the Consumer Affairs Ministry after students from across the country raised grievances against coaching centres offering classes for various competitive exams. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said, "This action reaffirms our commitment to ensure that coaching institutions adhere to fair practices and honour the rights of consumers." The NCH initiated a drive to resolve these grievances on a mission-mode after receiving numerous complaints regarding unfair practices by coaching centres, particularly their refusal to refund enrolment fees, an official statement said. NCH received 16,276 grievances from students in 2023-2024, up from 5,351 in 2022-2023 and 4,815 in 2021-2022.

National Consumer Helpline facilitates Rs 1 cr refund to coaching students
Updated On : 22 Sep 2024 | 5:51 PM IST

Godrej refrigerator variant fails energy rating test: How to check yours?

The energy rating of any appliance measures between one to five, with five being the most energy-efficient level. This impacts the final value of the product as energy-efficient products are costlier

Godrej refrigerator variant fails energy rating test: How to check yours?
Updated On : 24 Jul 2024 | 8:10 AM IST

Busting dark patterns, mediation on agenda of consumer affairs ministry

DoCA will create a platform to put consumers in touch with officials to help resolve their grievances before they reach litigation stage

Busting dark patterns, mediation on agenda of consumer affairs ministry
Updated On : 10 Jun 2024 | 12:13 AM IST

Advocates can't be held liable under Consumer Protection Act, says SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday held that advocates are not liable for deficiency of services under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and cannot be sued for poor service before consumer courts. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal said the legal profession is sui generis (unique) and the nature of work is specialised and cannot be compared with other professions. "Advocates have to respect client's autonomy, not entitled to make concessions without express instructions from client and transgress authority. Considerable amount of direct control is with client of advocate. This strengthens our opinion that contract is of personal service and excluded from definition of service under Consumer Protection Act," the bench said. The judgement came on plea filed by bar bodies, such as Bar Council of India, Delhi High Court Bar Association and Bar of Indian Lawyers, and other individuals challenging a 2007 verdict of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), ..

Advocates can't be held liable under Consumer Protection Act, says SC
Updated On : 14 May 2024 | 10:13 PM IST

NCDRC to hear consumer cases on hybrid mode from Apr 15 on pilot basis

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has decided to hear the consumer dispute cases on a hybrid mode on a pilot basis from April 15 onwards. In its latest practice direction issued on April 10, the NCDRC said that the national commission will conduct the hybrid mode hearings (physical/video conferencing) of the cases from its premise. The consumer affairs ministry in a post on X said that it is a significant step towards easing consumers' experience in seeking resolution of their consumer cases. The VC/hybrid hearing links for all the benches will be provided on NCDRC cause list for the convenience of the counsel and parties. "Hence, there is no need to send a VC link to the counsel/parties by the national commission," the commission said. It added that the counsel and parties should have a minimum internet connection of 2 Mbps. The counsel representing the case and parties appearing in person can join the VC/hybrid hearing of the concerned bench at the ite

NCDRC to hear consumer cases on hybrid mode from Apr 15 on pilot basis
Updated On : 11 Apr 2024 | 7:28 PM IST

World Consumer Rights Day 2024: History, Theme, Importance, and more

World Consumer Rights Day is marked on 15 March of every year. The day is observed for creating awareness about the rights of all consumers against fraud, discrimination, and other such practices

World Consumer Rights Day 2024: History, Theme, Importance, and more
Updated On : 15 Mar 2024 | 7:02 AM IST

Consumer confidence stays on the recovery path, says RBI survey

Manufacturers remain confident about demand conditions

Consumer confidence stays on the recovery path, says RBI survey
Updated On : 08 Feb 2024 | 11:15 PM IST

Fairness to airline consumers

Systematic thinking should guide us in the use of state power

Fairness to airline consumers
Updated On : 26 Nov 2023 | 9:53 PM IST

Rights of consumers to safe internet can not be compromised: Chandrasekhar

The government will ensure that consumers always have their platforms accountable to them in the digital space, and the rights of Indian consumers to have safe internet will not be allowed to be compromised or diluted, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Friday. The Minister of State for Electronics and IT - who is spearheading an extensive and in-depth nationwide consultation on the new Digital India Bill that will replace two decades old the Information Technology Act - noted that for years, the big tech platforms masqueraded as innovation and misused market dominance necessitating overhaul of regulatory and legal frameworks. "...it is a commitment that we have to the people of India...1.2 billion Indians who are going to use the Indian internet, that we will keep the internet open for them. We will deliver safety and trust on the internet for them. And we will make sure that regardless of whether you're a big tech or small tech, Indian or foreign that consumers will always

Rights of consumers to safe internet can not be compromised: Chandrasekhar
Updated On : 26 May 2023 | 11:10 PM IST

Soon, retailers may get restricted from asking for your phone numbers

The move is significant since most retailers mandatorily ask for a buyer's phone number as they generate the bill for their purchase

Soon, retailers may get restricted from asking for your phone numbers
Updated On : 24 May 2023 | 10:47 AM IST

Businesses can claim cover under consumer rules

The National Commission overruled the maintainability objection on the interpretation of the law laid down by the Supreme Court that insurance is for indemnification, not for commercial purpose

Businesses can claim cover under consumer rules
Updated On : 16 Apr 2023 | 8:56 PM IST

Consumer rights body asks Finance Minister to probe biz activities of Rario

The Consumer Online Foundation has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to investigate the business activities of company Rario and its compliance with Indian taxation laws

Consumer rights body asks Finance Minister to probe biz activities of Rario
Updated On : 07 Apr 2023 | 7:26 PM IST

Consumer org COF seeks probe into activities of online gaming firm RARIO

Consumer Online Foundation, a consumer rights organisation, has written to the finance minister to investigate the activities of a cricket collectable and gaming platform, RARIO, for alleged violation of tax laws with respect to cryptocurrencies, an allegation denied by the company. The letter by Consumer Online Foundation (COF) alleged that RARIO is engaged in unfair trade practices that infringe on the rights of consumers. RARIO refers to itself as a company engaged in the buying and selling of digital player cards and does not disclose on its website that it is in reality an NFT and cryptocurrency platform, the COF alleged. However, RARIO said, "We adhere to all the KYC requirements and fully comply with the applicable laws, including taxation." The letter alleged that the company has been engaging in unethical marketing practices and misleading customers in all of its transactions. "Customers purchase player cards in either INR or USD currency, which are loaded into their 'RAR

Consumer org COF seeks probe into activities of online gaming firm RARIO
Updated On : 06 Apr 2023 | 5:42 PM IST

Need to provide quality products to consumers at affordable prices: Goyal

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday stressed the need to provide quality products and services to consumers at affordable prices. Addressing an event to mark World Consumer Rights Day 2023, the minister said that the "consumer is at the centre and core of all our activities". "The very purpose of our activities should be a satisfied customer...We have gathered here to celebrate consumers' rights. We want to give confidence to consumers and want to win their trust," he added. Goyal emphasised that it is the duty of the government, consumer courts and industries to protect the consumers' interests. Customer service, customer awareness and customer redressal should be the focus, he noted. Goyal added that there is also a need to guide customers on the path of a sustainable future, as the entire world talks about green growth. The minister said the Prime Minister keeps consumers at the centre of all the government's programmes. The government has focused a l

Need to provide quality products to consumers at affordable prices: Goyal
Updated On : 15 Mar 2023 | 11:21 PM IST