Two Days National Seminar on Consumer Protection: New Age Challenges, Feb. 19-20.2.2016

Globalization and liberalization of trade and business have resulted in many products and services being available to consumers. This has necessitated giving high priority for protection of consumers and promotion of responsible consumer movement in the country. In light of the experience gained through the working of the consumer fora, important changes in the existing legal regime - substantive and procedural- are required with a view to make the consumer justice delivery system efficient, effective and economical.  There is also an urgent need to address the challenges posed by e-commerce and direct selling. E-commerce has potential to improve consumer welfare by making a wider range of products available, boosting price and quality competition besides developing new markets but at the same time it also brings significant new challenges for consumers, businesses and consumer protection authorities. This requires a departure from traditional modes of regulation.

Even after over 25 years of enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the law has not been able to achieve its avowed mandate of providing better protection of consumer interests in full measure. It is high time that suitable amendments are effected in the extant legal regime to effectively meet the challenges thrown by consumerism and newly emerging markets and business models.

Keeping the above in mind, National Law University Delhi in collaboration with Centre for Consumer Studies, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, sponsored by Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India organized a two day National Seminar during February 19-20, 2016. The Seminar was organized with a view to generate a discussion amongst legal luminaries, academics, members of Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) and enforcement agencies at a time when the Government is endeavouring to amend the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The Seminar witnessed wide participation from students, academia, stakeholders, lawyers and Government officials. Hon’ble Justice (Dr.) B.S. Chauhan, Chairman, Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal and former Judge, Supreme Court of India, delivered the inaugural speech. The Valedictory Session of the Seminar was presided over by Hon’ble Justice Gita Mittal, Judge, Delhi High Court.

List of Participants: Consumer Seminar