Question

Under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 that defines the term ‘unfair trade practices,’ which one of the following following points is NOT included ?

• A. Manufacturing spurious goods or providing defective services
• B. Not issuing cash memos or bills for the goods purchased or services rendered
• C. Refusing to take back or withdraw the goods or services and not refunding the consideration taken for the purchase of the goods or services
• D. Not disclosing the personal information of the consumer

Hint:

Read the options carefully: "disclosing" consumer personal data without consent is the offense (unfair trade practice).
Therefore, "not disclosing" it is a good practice and represents the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (COPRA 2019) regulates consumer rights, grievance redressal, and unfair trade practices in India.
Section 2(47) defines "unfair trade practice" as a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use, or supply of any goods or services, adopts any unfair method or deceptive practice.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the clauses included under Section 2(47) of COPRA 2019:
- Option (A): Manufacturing spurious goods, offering defective services, or selling expired products is explicitly defined as an unfair trade practice.
- Option (B): Refusing or failing to issue an invoice, cash memo, or bill to the consumer for the goods purchased or services rendered is classified as an unfair trade practice.
- Option (C): Refusing to take back defective goods or withdraw deficient services, and failing to refund the money paid within the stipulated period, is categorized as an unfair trade practice.
- Option (D): Disclosing personal information of the consumer given in confidence (unless required by law) is defined as an unfair trade practice.
Therefore, NOT disclosing personal information of the consumer is a protective, ethical business practice.
It is not an unfair trade practice, making Option (D) the correct choice for this "NOT included" question.

Step 3: Final Answer:
"Not disclosing the personal information of the consumer" is NOT included under the definition of unfair trade practices.