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.