Consumer Rights Test - 2

In market, many people who work in the unorganised sector have to work at a low wage and accept conditions that are not fair and are also often harmful to their health. To prevent such exploitation, rules and regulations are required for their protection. Likewise, rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the marketplace.

Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position.Whenever there is a complaint regarding a good or service that had been bought, the seller tries to shift all the responsibility on to the buyer.Their position usually is – “If you didn’t like what you bought, please go elsewhere”. As if the seller has no responsibility once a sale is completed!

In India, the consumer movement as a ‘social force’ originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.Rampant food shortages, hoarding,
black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement.

Till the 1970s,consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and
holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

Consumers can then complain and ask for
compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner.For example, if we buy a product and find it defective well within the expiry period, consumer can ask for a replacement.

Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive the service.

There is a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at district, state and national levels.There are various consumer movement organisations locally known as Consumer Forums or Consumer Protection Council, they guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts.They also receive financial support from the govt. to create awareness

Consumer Movements are the voluntary organisations .As a social force it originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.

Right to Represent:
--COPRA has enabled us to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.
--There is a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at district, state and national level

ISI ,AGMARK,Hallmark are logos and certifications which help consumers get assured of quality while purchasing goods & services.IOC is not the a logo certifying the assured quality of the product to the consumers.