Consumer Rights Test - 5

When there was no legal system available to consumers to protect them from exploitation in the market,consumer movement originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting intrests of the consumers. This movement help the consumers to protect from Adulteration, check powerful producers, etc.

Earlier there were no laws to protect them from exploitaion in the market place, so, it was presumed that it was the responsibility of consumers to be careful while buying a commodity. So, consumer movemenrt has shifted the responsibility of ensuring the quality of goods and services on the sellers.

There are many goods and services that we purchase require special attention, right to safety does so.

The definition of Right to Choose as per the Consumer Protection Act 1986 is ‘the right to be assured, wherever possible, to have access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices

Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

If a case is dismissed in district level court, a consumer can also apppeal in the state and then in national level courts. Thus, the act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

A district level court works at the district level with cases where the compensation claimed is upto 20 lacks

A state level court works at the state level with cases where compensation claimed is above 20 lac but upto one crore.The State Commission also has Appellate jurisdiction over the District Forum.

A national level court works for the whole country and deals compensation claimed exceeds rupees one crore. The National Commission is the Apex body of Consumer Courts, it is also the highest Appellate Court in the hierarchy.

The State Commission also has Appellate jurisdiction over the District Forum.