Consumer Rights Class 10 ||Economics|| Chapter 5 NCERT Notes

Consumer Rights Class 10 ||Economics|| Chapter 5 NCERT Notes

1. The Need for Consumer Rights

Consumers often face various types of exploitation, such as:

  ->Adulteration (mixing inferior goods with superior ones)
  ->Overpricing (charging more than the market price)
   ->Defective products
   ->Lack of safety measures in goods and services
   ->False advertising (making untrue claims about a product)
   ->Lack of grievance redressal (no system to handle consumer complaints)

This exploitation gave rise to the need for consumer rights, which are aimed at protecting consumers from unfair practices.

2. Evolution of Consumer Movement in India

->Initially, there was very little awareness among consumers, and they did not question sellers. But with time, consumer exploitation led to the formation of the consumer movement.
  • The movement started as a social force in India in response to rampant exploitation by sellers and service providers, particularly in the post-Independence period.
  • The movement gained momentum in the 1960s due to:
    • Food shortages and rampant hoarding by traders.
    • Black marketing and profiteering.

These issues led to the demand for the establishment of consumer rights.

3. Legal Measures to Protect Consumers

To protect consumers from exploitation and ensure their rights are respected, several laws have been passed over time:

a. The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) 1986

  • One of the most significant laws to protect consumers in India.
  • It provides for the establishment of consumer courts at the district, state, and national levels to address consumer grievances.

b. Objectives of COPRA

  1. To promote and protect the rights of consumers.
  2. To empower consumers to demand the right quality, quantity, and price for goods and services.
  3. To prevent unfair trade practices.

Amendment in 2019:

  • The Act was further amended in 2019 to expand the scope and powers of consumer courts and include provisions for e-commerce and online shopping issues.

4. Rights of Consumers

Under COPRA, consumers have been given six basic rights:

a. Right to Safety

  • Consumers have the right to be protected against products and services that are hazardous to life and health.
  • Example: Consumers should be able to trust that food products are not harmful, and electrical appliances should have safety standards.

b. Right to be Informed

  • Consumers must be informed about the quality, quantity, purity, and price of goods and services they purchase.
  • Labels on products provide information about ingredients, manufacturing date, expiry date, and price, enabling informed choices.

c. Right to Choose

  • Consumers should have access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
  • Monopoly or lack of competition is against consumer rights.

d. Right to be Heard

  • Consumers have the right to file complaints and be heard in case they are dissatisfied with a product or service.
  • Consumer courts and grievance redressal mechanisms exist to hear consumer complaints.

e. Right to Seek Redressal

  • Consumers have the right to seek compensation for faulty products or unsatisfactory services.
  • Consumer courts provide mechanisms for this.

f. Right to Consumer Education

  • Consumers must be made aware of their rights and the redressal systems available to them.

5. Consumer Courts (Three-Tier System)

To address consumer complaints, a three-tier quasi-judicial system was established under COPRA:

  1. District Level Court: Deals with cases involving claims up to ₹1 crore.
  2. State Level Court: Handles cases between ₹1 crore and ₹10 crore.
  3. National Level Court: Deals with cases above ₹10 crore.

These courts work to provide speedy redressal to consumers. If a consumer is not satisfied with the decision of a lower court, they can appeal to the next level of court.

6. Consumer Responsibilities

While consumers have rights, they also have certain responsibilities to ensure their protection:

  • Awareness: Consumers should be aware of the goods and services they purchase.
  • Reading Labels: They should carefully read the labels to know about the product’s quality, expiry date, and contents.
  • Demanding Bills: Consumers should always demand a proper bill or receipt after purchase, which acts as proof if a complaint is filed.
  • Reporting Exploitation: If consumers encounter any malpractice or exploitation, they must report it to the appropriate authorities.

7. Consumer Awareness and Information Technology

In today’s era, consumer awareness has grown through the use of social media and the internet. E-commerce platforms have also increased the ease of shopping, but with new challenges. Consumer protection laws have now been extended to include online marketplaces and digital transactions.

Government initiatives like the Jago Grahak Jago campaign are aimed at educating and empowering consumers to be vigilant.

8. Other Important Consumer Protection Laws

Apart from COPRA, several other laws help protect consumers in India:

  1. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955: Prevents hoarding and black marketing.
  2. The Standard of Weights and Measures Act, 1976: Ensures that consumers get the right amount of goods they pay for.
  3. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954: Prohibits the adulteration of food.

9. Consumer Movements in Other Countries

The idea of consumer rights is not unique to India. Globally, countries have also recognized the importance of consumer protection. In 1962, US President John F. Kennedy outlined the first set of consumer rights, which inspired movements worldwide.

Conclusion

Consumer rights are crucial for ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and are protected from exploitation. With the help of laws like COPRA and the establishment of consumer courts, consumers now have the means to seek redressal. However, for these rights to be effective, consumers themselves must be aware of their rights and responsibilities.