CCPA Orders Yatra to Refund Booking Amounts

Why in the News?

  • Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has mandated Yatra, an online travel platform, to refund booking amounts to consumers affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Source: DoCA

Background:

  • Many complaints about non-refund of cancelled air tickets were reported to the CCPA via the National Consumer Helpline.
  • In 2020, the Supreme Court directed airlines to fully refund tickets booked during the lockdown through travel agents.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

  • Establishment: Formed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, effective from 24th July 2020.
  • Objective: To promote, protect, and enforce consumer rights.
  • Composition: Led by a Chief Commissioner, with two commissioners: one for goods and one for services.

Powers:

  • Conduct investigations and institute complaints/prosecutions.
  • Order recall of unsafe goods/services.
  • Halt unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.
  • Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading ads.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.