The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted to provide for better protection of the interests of consumers and for that purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumers' disputes and for matters connected therewith. This Act aims to ensure the rights of the consumer, viz. the right of choice, safety, information, redressal, public hearing and consumer education. Right to safety includes protection against marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and property and right of information implies the right to be informed about quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods. For implementing its provisions, the Act provides for the constitution of The Central Consumer Protection Council and The State Consumer Protection Councils. The Act also establishes certain Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies. The ‘District Forum’ is to be established by every State Government in each district of the State. The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission or the ‘State Commission’ is to be established by the State Government in the State. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is to be established by the Central Government.
