Digital media such as WhatsApp and e-mail can be used for speedy consumer complaint redressal: Union Minister Piyush Goyal

Union Minister Piyush Goyal today said digital media such as WhatsApp and e-mail can be used for speedy consumer complaint redressal. He emphasised on speedy and affordable justice by Consumer Commissions across the country a national workshop in Delhi on effective and speedy Consumer Disputes Redressal. He said that the Consumer Commissions should religiously follow the timelines as per the Consumer Protection Act for expediting disposal of cases. He said that the commissions should be able to dispose cases within 3 to 5 months of filing which will provide speedy justice to consumers.
Mr Goyal said that to provide a faster and amicable mode of settlement of consumer disputes, the new Consumer Protection Act 2019 that came in to effect from July last year also introduces reference of consumer disputes to Mediation, with the consent of both parties. This will not only save time and money involved in litigating the dispute, it will also help in reducing the pendency of cases.  Government is also taking proactive steps in encouraging the use of electronic mediation. This will help in ensuring that location and distance do not act as barriers whenever parties wish to opt for mediation for the settlement of cases.