CONSUMER RIGHTS
[Link]
INTRODUCTION
• The government enacted the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (‘Act’) to
protect consumer rights and interests. The Consumer Protection Act,
2019 replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
• The Act aims to achieve public welfare by enabling consumers to
participate directly in the market. It covers all goods and services by
the private and public sectors. It is a weapon in the hands of the
consumers for enforcing consumer rights and fighting against
exploitation by manufacturers, traders, sellers and providers of
services.
• Right to Safety
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
fulfil 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 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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 [Link] 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 organisations in
seeking redressal of their grievances.
• .
• Right to Consumer Education
Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed
consumer throughout [Link] 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
• In 1986, the government was established. The user is granted six fundamental
rights by it.
• The primary goal is to ensure that consumers get good value for their
money in terms of goods and services.
• Consumers have the right to be free of hazardous goods and services that
jeopardize their lives and property.
• The customer has a right to know about the quantity, consistency,
purity, strength, and quality of goods and services.
• Furthermore, consumers must pay reasonable rates for the goods they purchase.