The provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 lays down the meaning of ‘service’ as service of any description which is made available to potential users and includes, but not limited to, the provision of facilities in connection with banking, financing insurance, transport, processing, supply of electrical or other energy, board or lodging or both, housing construction, entertainment, amusement or the purveying of news or other information, but does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service. ‘Deficiency’ has been defined as any fault, imperfection, shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature and manner of performance which is required to be maintained by or under any law for the time being in force or has been undertaken to be performed by a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in relation to any service. The categories of service include Banking, Financing, Insurance, Transport, Processing, Supply of Electrical or other Energy, Lodging, Housing, Construction, Entertainment, Amusement, News or Information.
