Govt to frame rules, set up authority by April to implement Consumer Protection Act

The government will frame rules and set up an authority to implement the new Consumer Protection Act by April this year, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Wednesday while stressing on the regulation of the e-commerce sector with a rise in online transactions.

Parliament last year approved 'The Consumer Protection Bill 2019', replacing the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The law seeks to revamp the process of administration and settlement of consumer disputes, with strict penalties, including jail term for adulteration and misleading ads by firms.

Paswan held discussions with industry representatives on key provisions of the proposed Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) as well as rules and regulations being formed under the Consumer Protection Act.

Industry bodies FICCI, ASSOCHAM, CII, PHDCCI and DICCI as well as officials from Amazon, HUL, P&G, Vodafone, Snapdeal, Zomato and Paytm attended the meeting.

"Today, we held a discussion with industry ..