STRENGTH:

1. This act empowers consumer by making them aware about their rights and
responsibilities
2. It provide effective, inexpensive and quicker redressal system to Consumers
3. To strengthen the infrastructure on Consumer FORA through computerization and
computer networking across the country
4. To dispose off all Grievances and Complaints through a well established Grievances
Redressal Mechanism
5. Consumers may demand that a contract be in clear and understandable language and that
the terms be explained
6. The main aim of Consumer advisory Centers is to provide correct information on all
aspects of consumer protection including guidance to take mediation to settle 35 disputes
7. Professional pride that doctors have is one of the strengthening factor for the consumer
protection
8. Also Government commitment to protect the Rights of the Consumers and Strong
consumer movement in the country
OPPORTUNITY:
1. Consumer has an opportunity to go directly to Consumer Tribunal to lodge a complaint
without the need of expensive attorney
2. Consumers may return goods if the goods are defective or unsafe or if the goods were
intended for a particular purpose and they are found to be unsuitable for such purpose
3. Unless the consumer agrees differently with the supplier, the supplier has a duty to
deliver the goods or services at an agreed date, time, and place. The consumer must be
afforded the opportunity on delivery to examine the goods
4. Any person aggrieved by the orders may Appeal further against District Forum, State
Commission or National Commission by the Sections 15, 19 or 23 of consumer
protection Act, 1986, respectively.
5. No Court fee is required to be paid for filing a complaint
6. One need not to engage a lawyer for the purpose, and the consumer fora can evolve
summary procedure in disposing of the complaint.
7. Growing consumer consciousness for quality care
8. Successful application of the CPA to other services/goods
9. Student exchange programs with national and international institutes of repute for the
awareness on COPRA

10. Shortage of funds and Poor infrastructure

The above-discussed points explained and provided by the Consumer protection act itself. These
factors give the opportunity to the individual to come-up with the case proceeding without any
hesitation.
WEAKNESS:
1. The Department is small one compared to the task it has at hand
2.

All activities affect the consumer finally in some way or other

3. As per Allocation of Business there are different ministries undertaking activities which
has a direct bearing on consumer
4. There is no mandatory system to get prior clearance of this department before any new
scheme or project is initiated
5. Consumer protection is still of a lower priority among the State governments
6. As a result sufficient funds are not allocated for infrastructure and other recurring
expenditure
7. All activities affect the consumer finally in some way or other
8. This affects implementation of schemes
9. Highly technical orientation of the Medical field and Declining credibility of medical
Profession
10. Huge back log in clearing medical cases in consumer forums due to Inept medical record
keeping and Lack of sufficient staff in the consumer Forums
Consumer Protection Act, 1986, itself provided certain restrictions on the Consumers by section
24(A) of this Act.
Limitation period:

1.

The District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission shall not admit a
complaint unless it is filed within two years from the date on which the cause of action

has arisen.
2. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a complaint may be entertained
after the period specified in sub-section (1), if the complainant satisfies the District
Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission, as the case may be, that he
had sufficient cause for not filing the complaint within such period: Provided that no such
complaint shall be entertained unless the National Commission, the State Commission or
the District Forum, as the case may be, records its reasons for condoning such delay
Sl.

NAME

No:

AGENCY

OF CASES

1.NATIONAL

CASES

CASES

FILED

DISPOSED

PENDING

SINCE

OF

SINCE

% OF
TOTAL
DISPOSAL

INCEPTION INCEPTION
69465
60504
8961

87.10%

541478

440613

100865

81.37%

2992338

2736379

255959

91.45%

COMMISSIO
N
2.STATE
COMMISSIO
N
3.DISTRICT
FORM
Total Number of Consumer Complaints Filed / Disposed since inception Under Consumer
Protection Law. The below chart is based on the analysis/study made in 2011F1
Therefore by the above graphical representation we can understand that all cases filed in District
forum could reach to National commission this may due to illiteracy or unable to get the
situation. In addition, the percentage of the Total disputed of State Commission is lesser than that
of the National and District Forum. This means minimum of 7-8 % of the people does not follow
hierarchy of the courts. This will affect at large, if this percentage rises.

THREAT:
1 Referred on: http://planningcommission.gov.in/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp12/pp/wg_cp2.pdf, Page.
No: 46, 09/30/2016, 03:04 PM

Though the overall disposal rate and the performance of the Consumer FORA is considered to be
impressive, still, the delay in disposal of cases by the redressal agencies at the District, State and
National level including the level of pendency has been a cause of major concern for the
Government.
1. Low level of awareness Among patient
2. Illiteracy and low socio-economic Status of consumers may also a threat to the COPRA
3. Growing commercialization of medical profession or any other profession leads to major
disturbances in the society
4. Growing urge to practice defensive medicine
5. Newer colleges, especially in private sector can dilute quality of training
6. Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are
hazardous to life and property
7. Poor record maintenance, especially of academically interesting cases in Hospitals, Stores
etc., for further reference.