Business Studies by Dorothy Mathias
Explain in brief any six rights of consumers as provided under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 – 6 marks
Or
Explain the following rights: (6 marks)
The right to safety
It refers to the right to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardous to health or life. It includes concern for consumers immediate and long term needs.
The right to be informed
Consumers have a right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services so that they can make the right decision and protect themselves against malpractices.
The right of choice
The consumer has the right to be assured of a choice of various goods and services of satisfactory quality and competitive price.
Right to representation (or right to be heard)
It is a right and the responsibility of civil society to ensure consumer interest prevails while formulating and executing policies which affect the consumers, as well as right to be heard while developing or producing a product or service.
Right to seek redressal of aggrievances.
The consumer has the right go to court if he has been unscrupulously exploited against unfair or restrictive trade practices and receive compensation for supply of unsatisfactory or shoddy goods.
The right to consumer education
It is the right to acquire knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer because it is easier for the literate to know their rights and to take actions to influence factors that affect consumer’s decisions. The Union and State Governments have accepted the introduction of consumer education in school curriculum.
Right to basic needs
It is the right to receive the eight basic necessities that are required to survive and lead a dignified life. These eight basic necessities include food, clothing, shelter, health care, sanitation, education, energy and transportation.
Right to healthy environment
It is the right to be protected against environmental pollution and environmental degradation so as to enhance the quality of life of both the present and future generation.
Explain any six responsibilities of a consumer ( 6 marks)
It is the responsibility of the consumer to:
- Be aware of his rights and exercise them with regard to products purchased or services rendered.
- Be quality conscious and thoroughly examine the product before purchasing it.
- Check the quality mark i.e. AGMARK, ISI, PDS, BIS, etc.
- Ask for a guarantee card if there is one.
- Insist on a cash memo which is required as proof of purchase in case of a complaint.
- File a complaint for redressal of grievance however small, to discourage malpractices.
- Do not get carried away by advertisements but check the actual use of the product with that given in the advertisement. If there is a discrepancy, it should be brought to the notice of the sponsor.
- Form Consumer Awareness organizations, which can be represented at various committees formed by the government for the welfare of the consumers.