National Consumer Day is observed annually in India on December 24th to highlight the importance of consumer rights and responsibilities. This day commemorates the passage of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986, a landmark legislation that protects consumer interests. This year's theme is "Tackling Plastic Pollution" and aims to promote sustainable practices and respect consumer rights. The government's "Jago Grahak Jago" campaign also raises awareness about consumers' role in adopting more environmentally friendly behaviors globally. National Consumer Day provides an opportunity for individuals to understand their rights such as the right to safety, choice, information, education, redressal and more.

1. NATIONAL CONSUMER DAY
By SP. SRIVATSAN XI B

2. Every Year 24th December is observed as National
Consumer Day with a specific theme in India. On
this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had
received the assent of the president. The enactment
of this Act is considered as a historic milestone in
the consumer movement in the country.
This day provides an opportunity for individuals to
highlight the importance of the consumer movement
and the need to make every consumer more aware
of their rights and responsibilities.

3. Consumerism

4. Who is
consumer?
Any individual who purchases
products or services for his
personal use and not for
manufacturing or resale is called
a consumer.
● Buys goods and services
● To be consumed by himself
● By someone else on behalf of
the buyers

5. What is consumerism ?
1. Self effort on the part of the
consumer for safeguarding themselves
is known as "consumerism".
2. Consumerism refers to a
movement
● by consumer or by consumer
association
● To ensure fair and honest (ethical)
practices on the part of
● Manufactures, traders, dealers,
services providers in relation to
consumer.

6. Rights and duties of
Consumer

7. Right to safety
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
fulfil 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 preferably
purchase quality marked products
such as ISI,AGMARK, etc

8. 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 are
available at competitive prices

9. 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
responsibly and also enable him to
desist from falling prey to high
pressure selling techniques.

10. Right to
consumer
education
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 exercise them. Only then real
consumer protection can be achieved
with success

11. 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 by the
Government and other bodies in
matters relating to consumers

12. 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 organisations in seeking
redressal of their grievances

13. “An Act to provide for better protection of the interests of consumers and for that
purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other
authorities for the settlement of consumers' disputes and for matters connected
therewith.”(According to Consumer Protection Act, 1986)
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 seeks to promote and protect the interest of
consumers against deficiencies and defects in goods or services. It also seeks to
secure the rights of a consumer against unfair or restrictive trade practices. This
act was passed in Lok Sabha on 9th December,1986 and Rajya Sabha on 10th
December, 1986 and assented by the President of India on 24th December, 1986
and was published in the Gazette of India on 26th December, 1986
Consumer Protection Act

14. The Consumer Protection Bill, 1986 was passed by both the Houses of
Parliament and it received the assent of the President on 24th
December, 1986. It came on the Statutes Book as THE CONSUMER
PROTECTION ACT, 1986 (68 of 1986).
LIST OF AMENDING ACTS
1. The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1991 (34 of 1991)
(w.r.e.f. 15-6-1991).
2. The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1993 (50 of 1993)
(w.r.e.f. 18-6-1993).
3. The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2002 (62 of 2002)
(w.r.e.f. 15-3-2003).

16. Consumer Protection Councils
● Central Consumer Protection Council. The Minister in charge of the consumer affairs in
the Central Government, who shall be its Chairman, and such number of other official
or non-afficial members representing such interests as may be prescribed.
● State Consumer Protection Council. the Minister incharge of consumer affairs in the
State Government who shall be its Chairman; such number of other official or non-
official members representing such interests as may be prescribed by the State Go
vernment. such number of other official or non-official members, not excoeding ten, as
may be nominated by the Central Govemment.
● District Consumer Protection Council. the Collector of the district (by whatever name
called), who shall be its Chairman; such number of other official and non-official
members representing such Interests as may be prescribed by the State Government.

17. Role of
Consumer
Protection

19. This year the theme of National
Consumer Rights Day is "Tackling
Plastic Pollution". The aim is to
promote sustainable practises for
clean surroundings and respectings
rights of consumers or the grakak.
The Consumer Rights ministry is
already running a 'Jago Grahak
Jago' campaign. "The campaign will
raise awareness and engage
consumers to globally adopt more
sustainable practises...," tweeted the
Consumer Affairs Ministry.

20. Conclusion
Consumers are allowed to protect products and services that are
hazardous to their lives and property from marketing cost fixes.
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