The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) notice to Flipkart, Meesho over acid sale.

Why in News?

• In the recent acid attack on a girl in New Delhi, the accused had bought acid on Flipkart.
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has sent notices to e-commerce players Flipkart and Meesho for gross violation of norms relating to the sale of acids.
• The Delhi Commission for Women has already issued notices to Flipkart and Amazon in the case.

 Acid attack victim under PWD Act, 2016:

• The PWD Act, 2016 has defined ‘specified disability’, which includes physical disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment, etc.
• The ‘acid attack victim’ is included in PWD Act,2016 and is defined as ‘person disfigured due to violent assaults by throwing of acid or similar corrosive substance’.
• The Bombay High Court in one of its judgements held that an acid attack victim would be considered a person suffering from ‘specified disability’ and therefore entitled to additional compensation, rehabilitative measures and free medical treatment available for persons with disabilities as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 2016.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):

• CCPA is a regulatory body established in 2020 based on the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• CCPA works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Composition:

• It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members — one of whom will deal with matters relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to services.
• The CCPA will have an Investigation Wing that will be headed by a Director General.
• District Collectors too, will have the power to investigate complaints of violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements.

Powers and Functions:

• Inquire or investigate into matters relating to violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices suo moto, or on a complaint received, or on a direction from the central government.
• Recall goods or withdrawal of services that are “dangerous, hazardous, or unsafe.
• Pass an order for refund the prices of goods or services so recalled to purchasers of such goods or services; discontinuation of practices which are unfair and prejudicial to consumer’s interest”.
• Impose a penalty up to Rs 10 lakh, with imprisonment up to two years, on the manufacturer or endorser of false and misleading advertisements. The penalty may go up to Rs 50 lakh, with imprisonment up to five years, for every subsequent offence committed by the same manufacturer or endorser.
• Ban the endorser of a false or misleading advertisement from making endorsement of any products or services in the future, for a period that may extend to one year. The ban may extend up to three years in every subsequent violation of the Act.
• File complaints of violation of consumer rights or unfair trade practices before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.