PASSAGE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL, 2018 IN RAJYA SABHA.
Some facts with regards to the passage of Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 by your Government have been brought to the notice of the Prime Minister, Government of India, His Cabinet colleagues, Members of Rajya Sabha, leaders of the opposition including of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Gulam Navi Azad , M.Khadge etc. etc. . It has been stated that during the year 2011, a Consumer Protection Bill, to amend the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, was introduced in the Lok Sabha. However, the said Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.
Thereafter, the Consumer Protection Bill, 2015 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Hon'ble Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, on 10.08.2015, to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Bill introduced various new provisions drastically for the welfare of the consumers and for taking stern action against the violators of consumer laws in India . The Bill was examined by the Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, which submitted its report in April, 2016. The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, was introduced on 05.01.2018, to replace the Consumer Protection Bill, 2015. but could not passed.
On the historic day, i.e. 20.12.2018, the Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, which seeks to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Consumer Protection Bill contains key provisions dealing with class action, product liability, misleading advertisements etc. etc. The Bill also addresses new age developments like e-commerce, direct selling, tele marketing etc. etc. The Bill is also expected to address all existing concerns being faced by Indian consumers.
The Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, will now be taken up for debate and subsequent passage in the Rajya Sabha. However, the Bill was listed for debate in the business of 07.01.2019 and 08.01.2019, in the Rajya Sabha, but could not be taken up for consideration and passage, though the consumers in India were expecting its passage. Now the Government of India is requested that it has recently got passed 10% reservation of Bill to the Economically weak section of Society, on basis of getting it passed, the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 may also be got passed.
If the Bill sees the light of the day in the Rajya Sabha in the ensuing Budget Sessions, consumer laws in India will change drastically to give powers to the consumers to fight for their legitimate cause in the Consumer Forums / Consumer courts speedily and economically and it will give more power to Indian consumers/ customers.
Consumer Protection Bill is hanging fire since 2011, therefore, we request all the political parties /honourable Members of Rajya Sabha to pass the Bill in the ensuing Budget Session commencing from 31.01.2019. We also request the Government to take initiative steps for its passage in the Rajya Sabha for the reason that this will be a final and last Session of the present Government.
It is also pointed out that the NDA Government headed by B.J.P. in the centre took strong initiative with regards to the passage of 10% reservation to the General Categories and got it passed in the Rajya Sabha. Why not this Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 could not be got passed by the strong political will by the Central Government. It may kindly be noted by all parties that if the Consumer Protection Bill , 2018 is opposed by any of the political party, it has to bear the consequencies in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections for cheating the consumer of India. The consumers and the Consumer Organizations throughout India will not hesitate to start agitation against a particular political party who opposes the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 and any hindrance in the passage of the Bill.
If, any political party, will cause hindrance in the Rajya Sabha or cause obstruction in passing the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, it will face natural consequences in the coming Lok Sabha election 2019.
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