Consumer Protection

 

Consumer Protection Act

The Consumer Protection Act, implemented in 1986, gives easy and fast compensation to consumer grievances. It safeguards and encourages consumers to speak against insufficiency and flaws in goods and services. If traders and manufacturers practice any illegal trade, this act protects their rights as a consumer. The primary motivation of this forum is to bestow aid to both the parties and eliminate lengthy lawsuits.

This Protection Act covers all goods and services of all public, private, or cooperative sectors, except those exempted by the central government. The act provides a platform for a consumer where they can file their complaint, and the forum takes action against the concerned supplier and compensation is granted to the consumer for the hassle he/she has encountered.

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities:

The Rights of the Consumer

  • Right to Safety- Before buying, a consumer can insist on the quality and guarantee of the goods. They should ideally purchase a certified product like ISI or AGMARK.
  • Right to Choose- Consumer should have the right to choose from a variety of goods and in a competitive price.
  • Right to be informed- The buyers should be informed with all the necessary details of the product, make her/him act wise, and change the buying decision.
  • Right to Consumer Education- Consumer should be aware of his/her rights and avoid exploitation. Ignorance can cost them more.
  • Right to be heard- This means the consumer will get due attention to express their grievances at a suitable forum.
  • Right to seek compensation- The defines that the consumer has the right to seek redress against unfair and inhumane practices or exploitation of the consumer.

The Responsibilities of the Consumer

  • Responsibility to be aware – A consumer has to be mindful of the safety and quality of products and services before purchasing.
  • Responsibility to think independently– Consumer should be well concerned about what they want and need and therefore make independent choices.
  • Responsibility to speak out- Buyer should be fearless to speak out their grievances and tell traders what they exactly want
  • Responsibility to complain- It is the consumer’s responsibility to express and file a complaint about their dissatisfaction with goods or services in a sincere and fair manner.
  • Responsibility to be an Ethical Consumer- They should be fair and not engage themselves with any deceptive practice.


Important Ways and Means of Consumer Protections followed in India

In India large numbers of consumers are living below poverty line and large number are illiterate and unaware of their rights so consumer protection movement cannot be the same as followed by developed countries.
In India it has to be a social movement wherein people of all walks of life have to play their role. Following are some ways and means of consumer protection followed in India:

1. Self Regulations by Business: Large business houses have realised that they can prosper and grow for a long period of time only by giving due importance to consumers. Socially responsible firms follow quality standards and have started customer grievances cell to attend the complaints of consumers.

2. Business Associations: Various business associations such as Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have framed a set of code of conducts which lay down guidelines for dealing with customers.

3. Consumer Awareness: It is not easy to exploit an educated and well aware consumer. Consumer must be well aware about his rights, responsibilities and relief available to him under consumer protection act.

4. Consumer Organisations: Consumer organisations play an important role in educating consumers regarding their rights, duties. These organisations also help consumer to get relief in case of exploitation.

5. Government: Government of India has framed a set of laws and legislations to protect the interests of consumers and the most important act framed by Govt, is Consumer Protection Act 1986. This act has provided three tier redressal agencies, i. e., District Forum, National Commission and State Commission.



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