Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. Discuss the idea of Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA); in what way will it protect the rights of the consumer in the country? (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
Last week, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan announced that a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will be established by the first week of April. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the coming of Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA); its scope and significance.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain what CCPA is.
Body:
Explain the following aspects – Definition, scope and significance of CCPA in the answer body in detail. The authority is being constituted under Section 10(1) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Act replaced The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and seeks to widen its scope in addressing consumer concerns. The new Act recognizes offences such as providing false information regarding the quality or quantity of a good or service, and misleading advertisements. It also specifies action to be taken if goods and services are found “dangerous, hazardous or unsafe”. The CCPA, introduced in the new Act, aims to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of such a body in protecting the rights of the consumers.
