Indore “ The Consumer Protection Act , 1986 of India - 25 Years of Enactment : A Critical Study ”

In Indian legislative history the year 1986 will be remembered for passing a revolutionary Act for consumers i.e. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986. After enactment of this statute the vacuum in law fulfilled with respect to any specific law for settlement of consumer disputes. This act provides three-tier redressal machinery for speedy settlement of grievances of consumers. Year 2013 is the silver jubilee year of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. In this context we can see the achievements of this statute and also we can assess the areas where improvement is needed in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 in general and consumer awareness in particular. Many researches have already been conducted on testing the level of awareness of consumers and implementation of provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Present study is qualitative and exploratory. For this study available literature on consumer protection and welfare, which is in Indian context, has been surveyed. And opinion is being formed. On going through this study many facts revealed about the consumer protection and awareness. One side some facts are on positive note about the provisions of The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and its implementation, which we can keep in the category of achievement of the Act, while on other sides there are some facts revealed for which some corrective action is needed for the betterment of the consumerism, these facts can be categorized as challenges. India is a big country with diversity where needs of people is also different. On one side of coin educated and urbanized people are taking advantage of the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 on the other side illiterate and rural people are yet to take full advantage of this legislation. Though this Act has provided relief to the consumers but still there is a need to improve in the implementation of this Act and also to incorporate some of provisions, which can protect the interest of consumers fully in coming years.