3. Consumer found him weakest in market: Consumer is the most important
aspect of the market but he found himself weak from the side of shop
keeper and manufactures.
Consumer was cheated: Consumers were cheated by various ways in the
market i.e. adulteration, artificial hoardings etc.
High weight and more charges: Many times, consumers are charged more
and provided with less weight.
Misuse of Advertising: Manufacturers kept of using advertisings to
mislead customers by promising false things
Rules for all:There were rules and regulations for everyone but not for
customers protection
4. It was being told that if consumers wanted to be protected they
should be careful by them.There was no legal protection to stop
the exploitation of customers.
Consumer Movement in early days was more social than
economical. Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing,
adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer
movement in an organized form in the 1960s.
Consumers’ Groups were formed but they were unorganized and
scattered and they were demanding very limited objectives such
as malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in public
transport.
5. In 1985 UN adopted the guidelines for
the protection of consumers and
pressurized the nations to do the same
in their nations too.
Today, Consumers International has
become the umbrella organization on
international level.
Every country was told to implement
the same laws in their countries.
6. It provided with many rights to consumers
It provided customers with legal platform to file the
case if they are being cheated .
It established Consumer Protection Council to help
customers.
It set up with quality checking institutions to look
after the standard of the goods.
It allowed government to educate the consumers and
spread awareness.
7. Right to Safety:
Producers need to strictly follow the required safety rules
and regulations.There are many goods and services that
we purchase that require special attention to safety. For
example, pressure cookers have a safety valve which, if it
is defective, can cause a serious accident.
The manufacturers of the safety valve have to ensure high
quality.You also need public or government action to see
that this quality is maintained.
8. Right to be informed :
Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of
goods and services that they purchase.Consumers can then
complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product
proves to be defective in any manner.
In recent times, the right to information has been expanded to
cover various services provided by the Government. In October
2005, the Government of India enacted a law, popularly known as
RTI (Right to Information)Act, which ensures its citizens all the
information about the functions of government departments.
9. Right to Choose :
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.
Sometimes gas supply dealers insist that you have to buy
the stove from them when you take a new connection. In
this way many a times you are forced to buy things that
you may not wish to and you are left with no choice.
10. Right to seek redressal :
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.
Consumer can file case in the district and state
consumer courts. Proofs to be presented in the
respective court and then court gives the verdict in
favor of right party.
11. Right to Represent
Consumer has right to represent his own case in
the court.There is no need to hire advocate for
the same.
He is guided by Consumer Forum/Consumer
Protection Council
12. These are the orgnisation formed by
consumers themselves.
These groups help and guide consumers to
file the case and try it in the court.
These groups are financed by the
government.
13. Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the
district, state and national levels was set up for redressal
of consumer disputes.
The district level court deals with the cases involving
claims upto Rs 20 lakhs.
The state level courts between Rs 20 lakhs and Rs 1 crore
and the national level court deals with cases involving
claims exceeding Rs 1 crore.
If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer
can also appeal in state and then in National level courts.
14. ISI – It is the sign seen on Gas Cylinder,
Electrical wires and appliances etc.
AGMARK - It is found on agricultural and
dairy products.
HALLAMRK – It is found on gold jewelry.
15. It depends upon the active participation of
consumer themselves.
Consumer should check the signs marked on the
products.
He should ask for bills and other related
documents.
If consumer finds himself cheated, he should
better approach the court and file the case.
