Consumer protection councils
Also called: Central Consumer Protection Council, State Consumer Protection Council, District Consumer Protection Council · Topic: Consumer Rights and Consumer Protection · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 5 "Consumer Rights"
Meaning
Consumer protection councils are advisory bodies. They advise on consumer rights and promote them, but they do not decide cases. COPRA 1986 set them up at three levels. The Central Consumer Protection Council is chaired by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs. A State Council is chaired by the state minister in charge of consumer affairs. A District Council is chaired by the District Collector. NCERT also uses the same name for voluntary consumer groups. These groups guide consumers on how to file cases and sometimes represent them. They also get government funds for awareness work.
Example
Prakash sent a money order to his village, but it never reached his daughter, and the post office did not respond. He first went to a local consumer protection council for advice. Only after that did he file his case at the District Commission.
Don't confuse with
- Consumer commission (District, State or National): a commission is a quasi-judicial body that hears complaints and gives binding decisions. A council only advises or guides.
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA): the CCPA is a regulator with an investigation wing. It can order recalls and impose penalties. A council has no such powers.