National Consumer Day 2018 observed across India

24 December: National Consumer Day

The National Consumer Day was observed across India on December 24, 2018 with the theme “Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints”.

On this day, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the president. The enactment of the Act is considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.

The day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

About National Consumer Day

• The day is celebrated annually on 24 December to mark the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, that was enacted on December 24, 1986.

• Observance of this day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and promote the basic rights and responsibilities of all consumers.

• The day also reminds the producers and distributors of goods and services about their responsibility towards the protection of consumer rights.

Consumer Protection Act, 1986

• The Consumer Protection Act was enacted with the objective of providing better protection of consumer’s interest.

• The act provides effective safeguards to the consumer, against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings, relying mainly on compensatory rather than a disciplinary or preventive approach.

• The act applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted, which covers the private, public and cooperative sectors. It also provides speedy and inexpensive adjudication

• The Act envisages the promotion and protection of rights of consumers such as Right to Safety, Right to be informed, Right to Choose and Right to be heard.

• Recently, on December 20, 2018 Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill 2018 to amend the Act. The bill calls for strict punishment, including jail terms and hefty fines for misleading advertisements and food adulteration.