Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
Why in News?
On March 26, 2026, the CCPA issued a stern directive barring hotels and restaurants from levying additional "gas surcharges" or "fuel cost recovery" fees, categorising them as exploitative practices amid the ongoing West Asia energy crisis.
Key Features
- Establishment: A statutory body formed on July 24, 2020, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, replacing the older 1986 Act.
- Nodal Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- Core Objective: To promote, protect, and enforce the rights of consumers as a class and investigate violations of consumer rights.
Composition
- Chief Commissioner: Heads the authority.
- Two Commissioners: One dedicated to goods and the other to services.
- Investigation Wing: Led by a Director General to conduct inquiries into unfair trade practices.
Major Powers
- Suo Motu Actions: Can initiate investigations on its own without a formal complaint.
- Recalls & Refunds: Empowered to order the recall of unsafe goods, withdrawal of hazardous services, and mandatory refunds.
- Penalties: Can impose fines up to ₹10 lakh and imprisonment up to 2 years for first-time misleading ads, escalating to ₹50 lakh and 5 years for repeat offences.
- Endorsement Bans: Can prohibit an endorser from making any endorsements for up to 1 year (3 years for repeat violations).
- Consumer Redressal: Consumers can report grievances via the National Consumer Helpline (Call 1915) or file formal complaints through the e-Jagriti portal.
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