Mediation - Its Role in Resolving Consumer Disputes
Author : Dr. N Ramprasad
Abstract :
Mediation provisions in Consumer Protection Act, 2019 as a Consumer Dispute Redressal mechanism has strengthened the Consumers’ right of an expeditious settlement of their disputes. Consumer mediation makes Consumer Protection Act, a better consumer protection legislation. The provisions requiring physical presence of parties at Mediation cells put hurdles in Mediation, ignoring the increasingly large number of young, tech savvy, internet connected consumers in Bharat who being e-commerce lovers; like to see fast results. Also, it adds a substantial financial burden on the government by challenging the Infrastructure cost of developing huge mediation infrastructure at District commission level across Bharat. The Mediation Act, 2023 takes consumer mediation in its fold with features like pre-litigation, online-mediation, registration and enforcement of mediated settlements, which can fill the gaps. The implementation of Mediation with use of consumer mediation depends upon the readiness of mediation cells at each district commission which may be a time testing affair.
Keywords :
Redressal, mechanism, commission, internet, protection.
