Question : FUNCTIONING OF CONSUMER COURTS AND MRTPC

(a) whether there is overlapping of functions between the Consumer Courts and the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission in matters relating to settlement of consumer dispute;

(b) whether the Government propose to consider assigning the jurisdiction of cases relating to consumer complaints to Consumer Courts thereby relieving pressure on MRTPC;

(c) whether the Government also propose to consider assigning more judicial powers to consumer courts and also strengthening the set-up allocating more funds to take care of the logistical requirement of Consumer Courts;

(d) whether there is any proposal to bring recently instituted Insurance Ombudsman and settlement of Insurance related complaints under the consumer courts set-up; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTIRBUTION (SHRI V. SREENIVASA PRASAD)

(a) & (b) : The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 under which the consumer disputes redressal agencies have been set up provides for various kinds of relief to the consumers including against unfair trade practices and restrictive trade practice. However, the objects and purposes of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and the Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 are different. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.


(c) : Government propose to give more powers to the consumer grievance redressal agencies by amending the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. It is the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations to meet the infrastructural requirements of the consumer forums set up by them. However, to supplement the State Governments` efforts a One-Time-Grant of Rs. 61.80 crores has been provided by the Central Government for strengthening the infrastructure of the State Commissions and District Forums.

(d) : No, Sir. Insurance services already come within the purview of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

(e) : Does not arise.