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In order to check the menace of adulteration, the ministry In order to check the menace of adulteration, the ministryhas proposed ‘penal offense’ and imprisonment at par withcelebrities for violation. It has also proposed a provisionfor suspension and cancellation of licence. That apart, the ministry has accepted the panel’srecommendation to include ‘deficiency in services’ in productliability. On Panel’s suggestion, it has agreed to provide anenabling provision for rule making to regulate e-commerce anddirect selling. Among other changes, the ministry has enhanced thepecuniary jurisdiction of a district commission to Rs 1 crore. It has removed overlap of powers of Central ConsumerProtection Authority (CCPA) and the Consumer Fora. Power ofdeclaring terms of contracts as ‘null and void’ will beshifted to Consumer Fora, while the power of awarding ofpenalty of CCPA substituted by compounding fees. The ministry has proposed setting up of an investigatingwing for CCPA and limited the role of a district collector tosupport CCPA in investigation. It has also removed a provision for penalty on consumersfor frivolous complaints. PTI LUX MJH ANZABK