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At times they pass on false information through the media or other sources to attract consumers.

‘Consumer Protection Councils’ help consumers in the following ways: 

(i) They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court. 

(ii) On many occasions, they also represent individual consumer in the consumer courts. 

(iii) They also create awareness among the people.

‘Consumer Protection Councils’ help consumers in the following ways: 

(i) They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court. 

(ii) On many occasions, they also represent individual consumer in the consumer courts. 

(iii) They also create awareness among the people.

The three functions of Consumer Protection Councils are: 

• Writing articles and holding exhibitions to impart knowledge about consumer rights and redressal. 
• To look for malpractices in the market in the process of buying and selling.
• Providing legal assistance to consumers by providing aid, legal advice and seeking legal remedy.

(d) Consumer Protection Act

Right to Seek Redressal. 

A consumer is a person or group who pays to use the goods or services produced by a seller for satisfaction of his wants.

Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered. This happens especially when large companies are producing these goods. These companies with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the market in various ways. At times false information is passed on through the media and other sources to attract consumers.

All the rights which are incorporated under the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), 1986 are equally important in all spheres. But among them, the most important would is the Right to Information (RTI) which was enacted by the Parliament on 15 June 2015. It was approved by both the houses and was legally implemented in the country with the assent of the President on 13 October 2005. It replaces the Freedom of Citizens Act 2002. The act gives the power to every citizen of the country to request and get information from any public authority. They are bound by the act to reply and furnish the information within 30 days of application request. Political parties and private bodies do not come under the purview of the act.

Under the act, every citizen has the right to:

• Receive information from any department or office of the State Governments and the Central Government.
• View the documents or records and take certified copies of the same.
• Take the sample materials of their workings.
• Get information on computers, CD, floppy and other storage devices.

The first appeal for getting the information may be made to the officials in the Panchayats, Municipalities, Secretariat and other government departments within 30 days of getting information from the concerned Information Officer. If the information is not furnished within the first 30 days, the concerned applicant may make a second appeal to the State Information Commission.

This act is more important because it empowers the citizens and promotes transparency and accountability in the working of the government. This helps to check corruption and other malpractices in the functioning of the government and the judicial system. This act also increases awareness among the citizen in and around the country.

Markets do not work in a fair manner when: 

• producers are few and powerful. 
• consumers purchase in small quantities. 
• consumers are scattered.

They should complain and claim for compensation or replacement.

Consumer forums or consumer protection councils.

Right to Choose.

The advantages of the consumer’s right to be informed are: 

• The consumers get complete information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. 
• The consumers would be able to understand the correct way of handling and using the product as some products need proper care. 
• If the product is not found as per the information provided, it can be replaced well in time, thus avoiding hustle and worry.

Suppose you want to buy toothpaste, and the shop owner says that he can sell the toothpaste only if you buy a toothbrush. If you are not interested in buying the brush, your right to choice is denied.

Markets do not work in a fair manner when: 

• producers are few and powerful.
• consumers purchase in small quantities. 
• consumers are scattered.

Right to seek Redressal 

This right ensures to protect the consumers against unfair trade practices or immoral exploitation of consumers. This right also involves the right to a fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Therefore when there is a shortcoming in the expectations of the consumers this right can be entitled to consumers.

If the consumer has been to the transaction with the producer, he should keep certain documents. It should be kept because they can be used as shreds of evidence. 

They are: 

• Bill of the commodity 
• Payment receipt 
• The product which has been bought 

These are the main things that are to be kept by the consumer

Right to choose 

In this case violation of the right to choose is being done here. The consumer is not allowed to choose the commodity that he is willing to buy and forcefully another good is being added to the purchase of the commodity. 

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. The definition of Right to Choose as per the Consumer Protection Act 1986 is ‘the right to be assured, wherever possible, to have access to a mixture of goods and services at competitive prices’.

a. Hoarding 

Hoarding is an example of consumer exploitation. Consumer exploitation is taking advantage of consumers. The term "hoarding" may include the practice of obtaining and holding resources to create artificial scarcity, thus reducing the supply, to increase the price, so that they can be sold to customers for profit. 

b. Adulteration 

It is the process of mixing or substituting identical and undesirable materials in the food items. This will cause heavy loss to the consumers and also leads to many diseases while consuming undesirable commodities. For example Mixing of bricks powder in chilli powder, because both are identical and the consumer cannot differentiate it.

True, Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery.

Right to safety means that we as consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property. Producers and manufacturers should adhere to safety norms while manufacturing goods. There are many goods and services, that we purchase require special attention to safety. For example, pressure cookers have a safety valve, which if defective can cause a serious accident. The manufacturers should ensure high standards and the consumers should read all the instructions given on the box of the pressure cooker. 

A consumer is the person who buys anything from the market and uses it.

The reasons for enacting Consumer Protection Act, 1986 by the Government of India are:

• There was dissatisfaction among the consumers regarding unfair trade practices being indulged in by the producers or sellers. 
• There was no legal system available for the protection of consumers from exploitation in the market place. 
• Rampart food shortages, hoarding, black-marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil posed a threat to consumers. 

Telecom industry

In the current scenario, the telecom industry is charging higher rates for the recharge the mobile. They are offering only unlimited packs and also consumer are forced to buy mobiles offer acquiring sim card, therefore, consumers are only allowed to choose what they offer.

Another instance is when gas dealer forces the consumer that he has to buy the stove for buying the gas. Then consumer is denied the right to choose.

They try their best to shift all the responsibility to the buyer.

Producers create the artificial scarcity in the way of black marketing and hoarding. The term "hoarding" may include the practice of obtaining and holding resources to create artificial scarcity, thus reducing the supply, to increase the price, so that they can be sold to customers for profit. Black marketing is market place which takes place outside government-sanctioned channel.

A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 enables the consumer to enhance major six rights, and they are

• Right to be Protected
• Right to be Informed
• Right to be Assured
• Right to be Heard
• Right to seek Redressal

Sometimes traders indulge in unfair trade practices such as when shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add charges that were not mentioned before.

If the consumer has been to the transaction with the producer, he should keep certain documents. It should be kept because they can be used as evidence. They are:

• Bill of the commodity
• Payment receipt
• Product which has been bought

These are the main things that are to be kept by the consumer

The consumer movement necessitated out of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many inequitable practices were being indulged in by the sellers. There was no legal system available to consumers to protect them from mistreatment in the marketplace.

In India, the Consumer Movement originated as a ‘social force' for protecting and promoting consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices. The consumer movement was organized in the 1960s because of the continuous emergence of the rampant food shortage, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil. Till 1970's the consumer movement was largely engaged in the writing articles and holding exhibition. They formed the consumer group into look after the malpractices that is taking place in the ration shops and overcrowding in road transport. This led to the upsurge in the number of consumer groups in India.

National Level Consumer Courts.

A three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national level, was set up under COPRA, for redressal of consumer disputes in India. 

• At the district level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims up to 20 lakhs.
• At the state level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims between 20 lakhs and 1 crore. 
• At the national level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims exceeding 1 crore. If the case is dismissed at the district level, then the consumer can appeal at the state and then at the national level, if required.

The role of the voluntary organization was widely important in the Consumer Movement in India. There are now more than 800 such organizations India.

• Consumer Guidance Society of India
• All India Consumer Protection Organization
• The Consumers Eye India

In the current scenario, the telecom industry is charging higher rates for the recharge the mobile. They are offering only unlimited packs and also consumer forced to buy mobile offer acquiring sim card, therefore, consumers are only allowed to choose what they offer. 

Another instance is that gas dealer forces the consumer that he has to buy the stove for buying the gas. Then consumer is said to be denied for the right to choose.

Rights which are provided by law : 

- Right to safety
- Right to be informed 

- Right to choose
- Right to be heard 

- Right to seek redressal
- Right to consumer education.

COPRA stands for Consumer Protection Act and it is a major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 enables the consumer to enhance major six rights and they are:-

• Right to be Protected 
• Right to be Informed 
• Right to be Assured 
• Right to be Heard 
• Right to seek Redressal

Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at district, state and national levels has been setup for redressal of consumer disputes. 

(i) The district level court deals with the cases involving claims up to Rs 20 lakhs. 

(ii) The state level courts take cases between RS 20 lakhs to Rs 1 crore. 

(iii) The national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding Rs 1 crore.

If the case is dismissed at district level court, the consumer can also appeal in state and then in national level courts. Thus, the act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

- Limited information
- Limited supplies
- Limited competition
- Low literacy

The consumer has six rights under the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), 1986

• Right to be Protected
• Right to be Informed
• Right to be Assured
• Right to be Heard
• Right to seek Redressal

- To protect and promote the interest of consumers.
- Under COPRA a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels is set up for redressal of consumer disputes.
- The district level court deals with the cases involving claims up to Rs. 20 lakhs; TheState level courts between Rs. 20 lakhs and Rs. 1 crore and the national level court deals with cases involving claims exceeding Rs. 1 crore

Large companies with huge wealth, power and reach very often manipulate the market in various ways. At times false information is passed on through the media and other sources to attract consumers.

Example 1

A company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims. 

Example 2

A long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer.

Large companies with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the market in various ways. At times they pass on false information through the media, and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. After years of struggle the company finally accepted that it had been making false claims. Similarly, a long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette—manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer.

Exploitation in the market happens in various ways, as 

(a) Underweight and under measurement: The goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighted correctly. 

(b) Substandard quality: Selling defective home appliances and expired medicines are its examples. 

(c) High Prices: Sometimes sellers charge higher than the MRP. 

(d) Duplicity: Fake and duplicate items are sold in the name of genuine goods. 

(e) Adulteration and impurities: Adulteration is done in the costly items as in oil, ghee, milk, spices etc. to earn higher profits. This affects consumer’s health and their money goes waste. 

(f ) Lack of safety devices: Electronic goods produced locally lack the required inbuilt safeguards, which may cause accidents. 

(g) Artificial scarcity or shortage: To earn more profits sellers create artificial scarcity by hoarding and selling the same at higher price.

(h) False or incomplete information: Sellers sometimes mislead people by giving wrong information about the products, price, quality, safety, expiry date, maintenance costs etc. 

(i) Unsatisfactory after-sale service: Many suppliers do not provide satisfactory after-sale service in case of expensive electronic equipments, home appliances and cars etc. 

(j) Rough behaviour: Consumers are often harassed in matters like LPG and telephone connections and in getting licensed items.