Consumer rules in 3 months: Paswan

New Delhi, August 27

The Centre will frame rules within three months and set up an authority to implement the newly enacted Consumer Protection Act. Guidelines drafted for e-commerce firms will be made mandatory under it with stringent action against violators.

“The new consumer protection rules and guidelines will be in place within the next three months,” Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said today following a meeting with parliamentarians to address their concerns before framing of rules to implement the Consumer Protection Act.

The government has asked stakeholders to submit their views by September 15 and also sought views on the draft guidelines on e-commerce — a sector that has been growing by leaps and bounds propelled by an increase in the number of online users and growing penetration of smartphones. Paswan said draft guidelines on e-commerce would be made part of the rules under the new law. Once included under rules, the guidelines would be made mandatory. “A majority are of the view today that e-commerce guidelines should be incorporated as part of the rules under the new law. We are accepting the suggestion,” Paswan said.

As per the draft guidelines, the e-companies will be expected to submit self-declaration to the ministry stating that they will conform to the guidelines which include a deadline to effect refund requests, displaying details of sellers and services on websites and procedure to resolve complaints.

Regarding keeping the health sector out of the ambit of the law, the minister said it was opposed by some parties even though the Supreme Court suggested it strongly. “This issue has been kept open. We will see what best can be done going forward in this area under the rules,” he added. — TNS