The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is the most important legislation enacted to provide for effective safeguards to consumers against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings, relying on mainly compensatory rather than a punitive or preventive approach. The Act has set up a three-tier quasi-judicial consumer disputes redressal machinery at the National, State and District levels, for expeditious and inexpensive settlement of consumer disputes..

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Consumer Movement…Consumer Movement…Consumer movements arose out of the following.= dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers. = there was no legal system available for consumers to protect themselves from exploitation in the market place.

In India, consumer movement originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interest of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices. such as, a) food shortage b) hoarding c) black marketing d) adulteration of food and edible oil.

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Examples Of Movements

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THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKET THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKET PLACE………..PLACE………..We participate in the market both as a consumer and a producer :- = as a producer we produce goods and services, = and as a consumer we purchase goods and services that we need.

But in the market, we find that very often it is the consumers who are exploitedto a great extent.Exploitation in the market place happens in various ways, such as…= sometimes traders indulge in unfair trade practices, such as when traders weigh less than what they should.= traders add charges that were not mentioned.= when adulterated/defective goods are sold.= passing of false information through media to attract consumers.

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Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful, whereas consumers are scattered and purchase in small quantities. This happens especially when large companies with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the market in various ways.Hence there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection forconsumers.

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Consumer is the real deciding factor for all economic activities. It is now universally accepted that the extent of consumer protection is a true indicator of the level of progress in a nation. The growing size and complexity of production and distribution systems, the high level of sophistication in marketing and selling practices and forms of promotion like advertising, etc has contributed to the increased need for consumer protection. Recognizing this, a well placed organizational set up has been created both at the Central and State level.

Consumer Rights

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Every individual is a consumer, regardless of occupation, age, gender, community or religious affiliation. Consumer rights and welfare are now an integral part of the life of an individual and we all have made use of them at some or the other point in our daily routine. Every year 15th March is observed as "World Consumer Rights Day". It commemorates a historic declaration (1962) by former US President John F. Kennedy of four basic consumer rights:

Meaning Of The Concept

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Producers need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations, they are many goods which require special attention for safety such as the pressure cooker which have safety valve, which if defective can cause a serious accident

Safety Is Environmental Right

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Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfill long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI, AGMARK, etc.

Right to Safety

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Right to Seek Redressal

Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumers must make complaint for their genuine grievances. Many a times their complaint may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be very large. They can also take the help of consumer organizations in seeking redressal of their grievances.

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Disputes

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Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success.

Right to Education

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Right to be Informed Means right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. Consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to desist from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques.

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Disputes

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Right to Choose

Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price. It also includes right to basic goods and services. This is because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. This right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive prices.

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Disputes

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Right to be Heard Means that consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. The consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can be given representation in various committees formed by the Government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers.

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Some Disputes About

Consumers Rights

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Where should Where should consumers go to get consumers go to get

justice justice :-:-Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation in the consumer court. If any damage is done to a consumer, he or she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organization locally known as consumers forum or consumers protection council, they guide Consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court, on many occasions theyalso represent individual consumers in the consumer court.

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Under COPRA a three- tier system is set up at the district, state and National level for redressal of consumer disputes.-- The district level court deals with the cases involving claims up to 20 lakhs.-- The state level courts from Rupees 20 lakhs to 1 crore.-- The national level above 1 crore.

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Why consumer Education is Why consumer Education is Important ……Important ……

1. It provides the person with the basic knowledge to handle consumer problem, he/she becomes a discriminating buyer by taking rational decisions, and thus not fall prey to advertisements or persuasions.

2.Technological developments have flooded the market with a variety of products, goods and services, it is therefore important that a person possesses basic knowledge and skills to judge the product.

3.School children are mostly dependent on their parents, it is therefore

important that they make the best use of their pocket money.

4.Consumers education can alert the pupils to the corporate dumping of dangerous pharmaceuticals and similar products.

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More To Know

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