Consumer Rights
Consumer Rights
Consumer Rights
School
Objective
The objective of the project is to reduce consumer exploitation
by making them aware about their rights as a consumer.
Who is a Consumer?
Under the Consumer Protection Act, a consumer is defined as:
Any person who buys any goods for a consideration, which
has been paid or promised, or partly paid and partly
promised, or under any scheme of deferred payment. It
includes any user of such goods, when such use is made
with the approval of the buyer, but does not include a
person who obtains goods for resale or any other
commercial purpose.
Any person who hires or avails of any service, for a
consideration which has been paid or promised, or partly
paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred
payment.Itincludes any beneficiary of services when such
services are availed of with the approval of the person
concerned, but does not include a person who avails of
such services for any commercial purpose.
Consumer's Ignorance
In the light of widespread ignorance of consumers about their
rights and reliefs available to them, it becomes necessary to
make them aware about their rights and redressal available.
Unorganised Consumers
Generally in India, though we have NGOs and Consumer
organisations, consumers are not organised. Thus, to protect
and promote their interest, adequate consumer protection is
required.
Three-tier System
District Forum
A complaint can be made to the appropriate District Forum
when the value of goods or services in question along with the
compensation claimed does not exceed ? 20 lakh.
The appeal against the orders of the District Forum can also be
filed before the State Commission. State Commission
A complaint can be made to the appropriate State Commission
when the value of goods or services in question along with the
compensation claimed exceeds ? 20 lakh but does not exceed ?
1 crore.
National Commission
A complaint can be made to the appropriate National
Commission when the value of goods or services in question
along with the compensation claimed exceeds ? 1 crore.
Consumer Rights
A consumer is an important participant in the market. In case of
consumer exploitation, the rights of the consumer must be
protected. There are six consumer rights as mentioned in the
regulatory Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
Right to Safety
Consumer has a right to be protected against marketing of
those goods and services which are hazardous to life, health
and property.
This states that consumer has a right to get protection against
the risks caused due to the use of substandard products or
products that do not confirm to the safety norms.
Right to Choose
This right gives the freedom to the consumer to choose goods
or avail services from a variety of products at competitive
prices.
As per COPRA, to enable the consumer to make the right
choice, the marketers should offer a wide variety of product in
terms of quality, price, size etc.
Right to be Heard
If a consumer feels dissatisfied with a product or a service,
he/she has a right to file a complaint and to be heard in
consumer court.
It is because of this reason, many firms have set up their own
consumer service and grievance cells.
Right to be Informed
The consumer has a right to have complete information about
the product he intends to buy such as ingredients, date of
manufacturing, price, quantity, etc.
Consumer Responisbilities
A person must his/her responsibilities to become a well-
informed consumer. A person, as a consumer, should make
every effort to educate himself/herself about his/her rights.