CONSUMER PANEL FOR NEW LAWS TO COVER DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS

NEW DELHI: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has urged the government to bring a legislation to cover cross-border e-commerce transactions on digital portals that do not fall under the ambit of existing consumer protection laws.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the National Consumer Day, NCDRC president DK Jain said the existing consumer protection legislation needed additional provisions to safeguard customer interests.

“There is a consumer litigation explosion waiting to happen as consumer disputes are going to rise exponentially in the future. A comprehensive legislation is required for national and crossborder transactions which are not covered under Indian Contract Act currently,” he said.

Jain said that the existing legislation will need provisions in the contract or in the Information Technology Act 2000 to address issues like intellectual property rights and privacy protection.

While referring to the buying patterns of consumers resorting to e-transactions, the quasi-judicial commission’s chief said the number of disputes was on the rise but their slow rate of disposal remained a cause of worry. The number of new complaints at the NCDRC grew at the rate of 139 % in 2016 while their disposal was recorded at only 73%.