CONSUMER PROTECTION

MEANING OF CONSUMER PROTECTIONTO PROTECT THE CONSUMERS

AGAINST THE UNFAIR PRACTICES OF THE PRODUCERS AND SELLERS IS CALLED CONSUMER PROTECTION

CONSUMERS ARE THE KING OF THE MARKET AND HIS EVERY NEEDS AND DEMAND IS TO BE FULLFILED AND PROTECTED AGAINST ANY KIND OF MISLEADING ACTIVITIES.

HOW ARE CONSUMERS EXPLOITEDTHROUGH ADULTERATION OF CONSUMER

GOODSPOOR QUALITY OF GOODS AND SERVICESMISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTSHORT MEASURE AND UNDER WEIGHT

GOODSCREATION OF ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY BY

HOARDING GOODS

EXAMPLES OF CONSUMER EXPLOITATION IN INDIA

A Manufacturer of sunflower oil claims in the advt. published in a national daily that his oil is rich in vitamins, minerals and so on. On testing all claims were found false.

Instant noodles can only be sold in the packing of 100 gms but in case of some manufacturers there are just 80 gms noodles in the packet.

A women get admitted in a hospital for an appendix operation but doctors treated her negligently and removed her gall bladder instead of appendix and as a result the women died.

Who is a consumerA person will be termed as consumer if : (i) he buys goods or hires services for

consideration(ii) he uses goods with the approval of

the buyer(iii) he uses goods bought or services

hired exclusively for earning livelihood by self employment

Legal protection to consumers

The Consumer Protection Act 1986

The Contract Act 1982

The Sales of Goods Act 1930

The Essential Commodities Act 1955

The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954

The Standards of Weights and measures Act 1976

The Trade Mark Act 1999

The Competition Act 2002

Consumer Protection Act 1986Consumer Protection Act provides protection

to the consumer, passed by the parliament in 1986 and came into force with affect from july 1987.The Act extends to whole of India except the state of Jammu and Kashmir .It was amended twice i.e. in 1993 and 2003. The act provides for the formation of Consumer Protection Councils both at the centre and in the states.

Salient features of Consumer Protection Act

Coverage of items : This act is applicable on all products and services.

Coverage of sector: This act is applicable to all areas whether private , public or cooperative .

Compensatory nature of provisions as it compensates the consumer for the losses .

Group of consumer’s rights.Effective safeguards

Consumers Rights

Right to safetyRight to be informed/Right to be representedRight to chooseRight to be heardRight to seek redressal (compensation , free

repair of goods taking back of products etc)Right to consumer educationRight to basic needs and Right to healthy

environment provided by UNO

Consumer’s ResponsibilitiesConsumers must exercise his Rights.Cautious consumer do not buy blindly.Filing complaint for the Redressal of Genuine

Grievances.Do not compromise on Quality.Beware of false advertisement.Don’t forget to take receipt and guarantee

card.

Three tier Judicial Machinery under the Consumer Protection Act

District Forum at district level (upto 20 lakh)

State commission at state level (above Rs 20 lakh but less than 1 crore).

National commission at national level (exceeding Rs 1 crore).

WAYS AND MEANS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

SELF REGULATION BY BUSINESSBUSINESS ASSOCIATIONCONSUMER AWARENESSCONSUMER ORGANISATIONGOVERMENT

ROLE OF CONSUMERORGANISATIONS&NON GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS

ACCELARATING CONSUMER AWARENESSCOLLECTING DATA ON DIFFERENT

PRODUCTSEXTENDING SUPPPORT TO GOVERNMENTHELPING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONSFILING SUIT ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS