The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 that seeks to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

The Bill enforces consumer rights and provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints regarding deficiencies in goods and services.

It seeks to establish Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at District, State and National levels.

The district Commissions are authorised to look into complaints involving claims worth one crore rupees, which was 20 lakh rupees earlier.

The State Commissions’ limit is to be increased from one crore rupees to 15 crore rupees. Complaints over and above that limit would be handled by the National Commission.

The Bill also seeks to impose stringent punishment for food adulterations. Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan moved the Bill for further consideration in the post-lunch session.

He said, the prevailing act is thirty-two years old, which does not reflect conditions in the current consumer market.

The Bill was supported by all the eleven members who participated in the discussion, though Congress members continued to raise slogans seeking JPC probe on Rafale deal.