3. The Consumer Protection Act,
1986 is the most important
legislation enacted to provide
for effective safeguards to
consumers against various types
of exploitations and unfair
dealings, relying on mainly
compensatory rather than a
punitive or preventive
approach. The Act has set up a
three-tier quasi-judicial
consumer disputes redressal
machinery at the National,Eshan Balachandar
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4. Consumer Movement…Consumer Movement…
Consumer movements arose out of the following.
= dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair
practices were being indulged in by the sellers.
= there was no legal system available for consumers
to protect themselves from exploitation in the market
place.
In India, consumer movement originated with
the necessity of protecting and promoting the interest
of consumers against unethical and unfair trade
practices. such as, a) food shortage b) hoarding c)Eshan Balachandar
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6. THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKETTHE CONSUMER IN THE MARKET
PLACE………..PLACE………..We participate in the market both as a
consumer and a producer :-
= as a producer we produce goods
and services,
= and as a consumer we purchase
goods and services that we need.
But in the market, we find that very often it is the consumers who
are exploited
to a great extent.
Exploitation in the market place happens in various ways, such
as…
= sometimes traders indulge in unfair trade practices, such as
when traders
weigh less than what they should.
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7. Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are
few and powerful, whereas consumers are scattered and
purchase in small quantities.
This happens especially when large companies
with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the
market in various ways.
Hence there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure
protection for
consumers.
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8.
Consumer is the real deciding factor for all economic activities. It
is now universally accepted that the extent of consumer protection
is a true indicator of the level of progress in a nation. The growing
size and complexity of production and distribution systems, the
high level of sophistication in marketing and selling practices and
forms of promotion like advertising, etc has contributed to the
increased need for consumer protection. Recognizing this, a well
Consumer Rights
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9. Every individual is a consumer, regardless of
occupation, age, gender, community or religious
affiliation. Consumer rights and welfare are
now an integral part of the life of an individual
and we all have made use of them at some or the
other point in our daily routine.
Every year 15th March is observed as "World
Consumer Rights Day". It commemorates a
historic declaration (1962) by former US
President John F. Kennedy of four basic
Meaning Of The
Concept
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11. Producers need to strictly follow the required
safety rules and regulations, they are many
goods which require special attention for
safety such as the pressure cooker which
have safety valve, which if defective can
Safety Is Environmental
Right
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12. Means right to be protected against the marketing of
goods and services, which are hazardous to life and
property. The purchased goods and services availed of
should not only meet their immediate needs, but also
fulfill long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers
should insist on the quality of the products as well as on
the guarantee of the products and services. They should
Right to Safety
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13. Right to Seek Redressal
Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices
or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes
right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the
consumer. Consumers must make complaint for their genuine
grievances. Many a times their complaint may be of small
value but its impact on the society as a whole may be very
large. They can also take the help of consumer organizations
in seeking redressal of their grievances.
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15. Means the right to
acquire the knowledge
and skill to be an
informed consumer
throughout life.
Ignorance of
consumers, particularly
of rural consumers, is
mainly responsible for
their exploitation. They
should know their
rights and must
Right to Education
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16. Right to be Informed
Means right to be informed
about the quality, quantity,
potency, purity, standard
and price of goods so as to
protect the consumer
against unfair trade
practices. Consumer should
insist on getting all the
information about the
product or service before
making a choice or a
decision. This will enable
him to act wisely and
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18. Right to Choose
Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety
of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies,
it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at
a fair price. It also includes right to basic goods and services.
This is because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can
mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. This right can be
better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods
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20. Right to be Heard
Means that consumer's
interests will receive due
consideration at
appropriate forums. It also
includes right to be
represented in various
forums formed to consider
the consumer's welfare.
The consumers should form
non-political and non-
commercial consumer
organizations which can be
given representation in
various committees formed
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24. Where should consumers go toWhere should consumers go to
get justiceget justice :-:-
Consumers have the right to seek redressal against
unfair trade practices and exploitation in the
consumer court. If any damage is done to a
consumer, he or she has the right to get
compensation depending on the degree of damage.The consumer movement in India has led to
the formation of various organization locally
known as consumers forum or consumers protection
council, they guide Consumers on how to file cases
in the consumer court, on many occasions they
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25. Under COPRA a three- tier system is set up at
the district, state and National level for redressal of
consumer disputes.
-- The district level court deals with the cases involving
claims up to 20 lakhs.
-- The state level courts from Rupees 20 lakhs to 1 crore.
-- The national level above 1 crore.
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26. Why consumer Education is ImportantWhy consumer Education is Important
…………
1. It provides the person with the basic knowledge to
handle consumer problem, he/she becomes a
discriminating buyer by taking rational decisions, and
thus not fall prey to advertisements or persuasions.
2. Technological developments have flooded the market
with a variety of products, goods and services, it is
therefore important that a person possesses basic
knowledge and skills to judge the product.
3. School children are mostly dependent on their parents,Eshan Balachandar
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