Unfair trade practices

Unfair Trade Practices

Unfair Trade Practice" the detailed definition is given in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 as amended by the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act. 1993. It means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice including any of the following practices, namely:

(a) false or misleading representation,
(b) bargain price
(c) offering of gifts, prize, contest etc.
(d) non compliance of product safety standard.
(e) hoarding or destruction of goods.

Procedure for Filing Complaints:
Procedures for filing complaints and seeking redressal are simple. There is no fee for filing a complaint before the District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission. ( A stamp paper is also not required). Three to five copies of the complaint on plain paper are required to be submitted by the complainant or his authorized agent in person or could be sent by post to the appropriate Forum / Commission.

A complaint should contain the following information:
a) The name, description and the address of the complainant.
b) The name , description and address of the opposite party or parties, as the case may be, as far as they can be ascertained;
c) The facts relating to complaint and when and where it arose;
d) Documents, if any, in support of the allegations contained in the complaint.
e) The relief which the complainant is seeking.

The complaint should be signed by the complainant or his authorized agent.
The complaint is to be filed within two years from the date on which cause of action has arisen.