Class 10th
Chapter 5
Consumer Rights
1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Ans-
Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the market place
because there are various ways in which exploitation happens. For example, sometimes traders
indulge in unfair trade practices such as when shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or
when traders add charges that were not mentioned before or when adulterated or defective
commodities are sold. Rules and regulations are also required to realise the sellers their
responsibility.
2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Ans-
In India, consumer movement was a result of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair
practices were being indulged in the market by the producers and sellers. Consumer awareness
movement was originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of
consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices of the producers and sellers. Rampant
food shortages, hoarding, black marketing adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the
consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.
3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Ans-
There is great need for consumer consciousness due to the following considerations :
(i) The need for consumer consciousness was felt because out of their selfishness both the
manufacturers and traders can go to any extent. They can charge high prices, scoop to under
weight and under-measurement methods.
(ii) The need for consumer consciousness was felt all the more when some unscrupulous
traders began to play with the health of the nation by indulging in adulteration of edible oils,
milk, butter, ghee, and even cereals.
4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Ans-
The consumer is exploited by the seller or producer due to various factors, some of them are
given below.
(i) Limited Information: In the absence of information about the different aspects of the
products, the consumers are liable to make a wrong choice and lose money.
(ii) Limited supplies: The consumers are exploited when the goods and services are not
available in the required quantity or numbers.
(iii) Limited competition: When only one producer or a group of producers controls the
production and supply of a product and is in a position to restrict the availability of supplies,
there is a possibility of manipulation in prices and availability.
(iv) Low literacy: Illiteracy is one of the major drawbacks that lead to exploitation of consumers.
The level of consumers consciousness in our country is generally very low.
5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Ans-
The Indian government has launched Consumer Protection Act 1986. The purpose behind this act
is to protect and promote consumers interests and to redress their grievances in a speedy, simple
and unexpensive manner. Most important feature of this Act is the provision of setting up a
three-tier system popularly known as consumer courts at national state and district levels. At
national level, National Consumer Commission, at state level, State Consumer Commission and at
district level, District Forum. These courts look into the grievances and complaints of the
Consumers against the traders and manufacturers and provide the necessary relief and
compensation. The government has therefore, attempted to strengthen the Act and remove
some of its bottle neeks and short comings through amendments of the Act carried out in 1991
and 1993.
6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Ans-
Some duties of consumers are :
(i) While purchasing the goods, consumers should look at the quality of the products as well as
on the guarantee of the products and services.
(in) Consumers should prefer quality marked products, such as ISI, Agmark etc.
(iii) Consumers must know their rights and must exercise them.
(iv) Consumers should ask for cash memo for the items purchased.
7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to
look for and why?
Ans-
The logo of Agmark because food items are marked by Agmark
8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?
Ans-
The government of India had adopted three strategies to empower the consumers in India.
These are -
(a) Legislative Measure
(b) Administrative Measure
(c) Technical Measure
(a) Legislative Measures: The Indian government enacted a specific law which is called Consumer
Protection Act in 1986. This Act settles the disputes of the consumers grievances in speedy,
simple and unexpensive manner. The most important feature of this act is the provision for
setting upon three tier system popularly known as consumer courts at district, state and national
level.
(b) Administrative Measure : This measure includes the Public Distribution System (PDS) which is
expected to prevent hoarding, black-marketing and overcharging by the traders and
manufacturers.
(c) Technical Measure: This measure consists of standardisation of products. In India, this has
been achieved through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which was earlier known as Indian
Standards Institution (ISI) which has the responsibility of laying down the standards for industrial
and consumer goods on a scientific basis.
9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Ans-
The following are the rights of the consumers:
(i) Right to safety: The consumers have the right to be protected against marketing of goods
and services, which are hazardous to life and property.
(ii) Right to information: This includes quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of
goods.
(iii) Right to choose : The consumers have a right to choose the goods and services from variety
of goods and services according to their needs.
(iv) Right to heard : This assures that consumers interests will receive due consideration at
appropriate forums.
(v) Right to seek redressal : The consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade
practices.
(vi) Right to consumer education: This includes knowledge about goods and issues relating to
consumer welfare.
10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Ans-
Consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumers groups or consumers organisations.
11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Ans-
In India, consumers protection Act was launched in 1986 by the Indian government to promote
and protects the consumers interests but after about 20 years of the enactment of COPRA,
Consumer awareness in India is spreading but slowly. The enforcement of laws that protect
workers especially in the unorganised sectors is weak. Rules and regulations for working or
markets are often not followed. The laws are not very clear on the issue of compensation to
consumers injured by defective products.
12. Match the following.
i) Availing details of a) Rights to safety
ingredients of a product
ii) Agmark b) Dealing with consumer
cases
iii) Accident due to faulty c) Certification of edible oil
engine in a scooter and cereals
iv) District consumer Court d) Agency that develop
standards for goods and
services
v) Consumers International e) Right to information
vi) Bureau of Indian f) Global level institution of
standards consumer welfare
organisations
Ans- (i) e, (ii) c, (iii) a, (iv) b, (v) f, (vi) d
13. Say True or False.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer
redressal.
(iii)When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District
Consumer Court.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellry.
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(vii)A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Ans-
(i) False, (ii) True, (iii) True, (iv) False, (v) True, (vi) False, (vii) True