New Delhi, Oct 19 (IANS): Union Minister of Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday said that the central government is preparing to come up with a new Consumer Protection Act to protect the interests of consumers.

An official statement here said that Paswan, while addressing Regional Editors' Conference in Chandigarh, asserted that consumer awareness is of paramount importance for safeguarding their interests.

The minister also urged media to play an active role in this regard.

Paswan said that his ministry is working on new Consumer Protection Act which will have more teeth to protect the interests of consumers.

"An authority has been proposed under the act to take suo motto action if product and services are not up to the standard," it said.

It also quoted the minister as saying that charging over Maximum retail price (MRP) is unfair trade practice and the new Consumer Protection Act will effectively check the problem.

"Very soon services and products in the area of health, food etc. shall have to follow mandatory quality standards. Precious metal like Gold and silver shall have to wear hallmarking for the larger interests of consumers," it added.

New Bureau of Indian Standards Act has been enacted for this purpose and rules are being framed, the minister announced.

Addressing the issue of misleading advertisements, Paswan said effective provisions have been proposed in the new Consumer Protection Act and it will enable people to file complains in consumer courts online from any place in the country.

It will also ensure time-bound admission of their complaints in the courts, the minister added.