Q1: As a well informed customer, what kind of quality certification marks you will look for before buying products? Specify any six.
Ans: Some of the quality certification marks are :
(a) FPO – It contains specification and quality control requirements regarding the production and marketing of processed fruits and vegetables, sweetened aerated water, vinegar and synthetic syrups.
(b) ISI – on consumer durable products.
(c) Hall Mark – BIS certification scheme gold jewellery items.
Q2: “An order passed by the National Commission in a matter of its original jurisdiction is appealable before the Supreme Court”. In this context, What does original jurisdiction mean?
Ans: Only those appeals where the value of goods and services in question, along with the compensation claimed exceeded Rs. 1 crore and where the aggrieved party was not satisfied with the order of the National Commission.
Q3: Mr. Deepak purchased a book from a book-seller and book the cash memo of Rs. 200 which he paid for the book. Later, he found that the actual price of the book is Rs. 180 but the book – seller had put a sticker of Rs. 200 on the original price. Can Deepak recover the extra money that he paid? What other options are available to him book –seller?
Ans: Mr. Deepak is a cautious consumer. He had taken the cash memo for the book he purchased. Therefore, he can recover the extra money (Rs. 20). Besides as per the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, following option are also available to him against the book-seller :-
(a) He can return the book and ask for the repayment of Rs. 200 which he paid for buying the book.
(b) He can sue the book – seller for using unfair and restrictive trade practices.
Q4: Mr. Ashu, a consumer, purchased medicines without noticing the date of expiry. He also did not obtain the cash memo. Do you think he will able to protect himself by the loss caused due to expired medicines?
Ans: In the given case, Mr. Ashu, as a consumer, was not able to fulfill his responsibility at two fronts:-
(a) He did not go through the packing specification mentioned on the product at the time of purchases.
(b) Most importantly, he did not obtain the cash memo from the seller. A cash memo is a proof of purchases and a must for filing any complaint. Hence, he will not be able to protect himself by the loss caused due to expired medicines.
Q5: Who is a Consumer under Consumer Protection Act, 1986?
Ans: According Consumer Protection Act, a consumer is:
(a) One who buys goods or service for some value
(b) Any user of such goods or beneficiary of service with approvel of the buyer.
(c) Any one who uses the goods bought or service hired for earning livelihood by self-employment.
Q6: Who can file a complaint under Consumer Protection Act, 1986?
Ans: A complaint can be field by :-
(a) Any consumer
(b) Any registered Consumer Association.
(c) The central or state government
(d) One or more consumer on behalf of numberous consumers
(e) A legal heir of a deceased consumer.
Q7: When or under what circumstances the complaints can be lodged by the consumer?
Ans: Complaints can be filed and compensation can be claimed by the consumer with respect to :-
(a) Fraudulent practices of traders and manufactures
(b) If goods are defective
(c) If there is any deficiency in the services hired
(d) Over charging of prices
Q8: Explain the role of Consumer Organizations and NGOs.
Ans: Non Government Organizations are voluntary organizations established to protect and promote the interests of under privileged sections of society. Child Relief and you (CRY) for example is a NGO for protection and welfare of children.
NGOs and can take the following steps for consumer protection :-
(a) To inform and educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities.
(b) To file consumer grievances with appropriate authorities for redressal.
(c) To act as spokemen/representatives of consumers.
(d) To organize consumers.
(e) To advise and assist government agencies in matters relating to cosumer education.
(f) To undertake research and publish journals for the welfare of consumers.
Q9: What are the various ways & means of Consumer Protection?
Ans: Means for protecting consumers in India are given below :-
(a) Publicity : All India Radio and Doordarshan telecast regular programmes on consumer protection. Film documentaries and video documentaries have been prepared to educate consumers. The Ministry publishes a quarterly journal ‘Upbhokta Jagaran’ directories and brochures on consumer affairs. World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on 15th March every year.
(b) Awards : Government of India offers awards to youth and women in order to encourage their participation in consumer protection.
(c) Consumer welfare fund : Govt. of India has created a fund for the welfare of consumers. This fund is to be utilized on consumer education, training and research in consumer education, setting up counseling, guidance and complaint handling facilities, setting up of product testing laboratories, etc.
(d) Lok adakats : In a lok adalat the aggrieved consumer can directly present his grievance. The officials of the concerned firm discuss the matter and take appropriate decisions. This method saves time and money of people. It is a speedy and economical redressal system. Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Transport Corporation, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited and India Railways organize lok adalats from time to time.
Q10: Explain the importance of Consumer Protection in a developing country like India.
Ans: The need for Consumer Protection arises due to following reasons :-
From Consumer Point of view :
(a) Consumer Ignorance : In India, incidence of poverty and level of illiteracy high. Therefore it become necessary to educate them about the pure and adulterer goods so as to achieve consumer awareness.
(b) Unorganized Consumers : In India consumer have yet not organized themselves in the form of consumer organizations. Therefore, adequate protection is required to be given to consumers till these organizations become powerful enough.
(c) Widespread Exploitation of Consumer : Consumers can be exploited by unfair trade practices like defective and unsafe products, false and misleading advertisements etc.
From Business Point of view
(a) Long term interest of the business : Enlightened business man only realizes that it is in their long interest to satisfy customers because they can only lead to repeated sales.
(b) Social Responsibility : A business has social responsibilities towards various interest groups including consumers. Thus, consumers like other stakeholders; their interest has to be well taken care of.
(c) Moral Justification : It is the moral duty of any business to take care of consumer’s interests and avoid any form of their exploitation and unfair trade practices.
(d) Government Interventions : A business engaging in any form of exploitative trade practices would invite government interventions or action. This would tarnish the image of the company.
Q11: Explain the various right of consumer given under Consumer Protection Act, 1986?
Ans: The Consumer Act Provides the following six rights of Consumers.
(a) Right to safety : It means the right to be protected against products, production processes and services which are hazardious to health to life. It also includes protection against environmental pollutions.
(b) Right to be informed : A consumer has a right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services, so as to make the right decision and protect themselves against abusive practices.
(c) Right to choose : It deals with the issue of choosing between different alternatives. It can be defined as an assurance, whenever possible, of availability, ability and access to a variety of products and services at competitive prices.
(d) Right to representation : It means the right to advocate consumer’s interests with a view to receiving full and sympathetic consideration in the formation and execution of economic and other policies, which affect consumers.
(e) Right to seek redressal : This right includes the right to receive compensation for supply of unsatisfactory services or shoddy goods and availability of forms of legal aid or redress for small claims whenever necessary.
(f) Right to consumer education : It means the right to acquire the knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer. It is easier for the literate to know their rights and to take actions to influence factors which affect consumers decisions.
Q12: What responsibilities should a consumer keep in mind while purchasing, using and consuming goods and services?
Answer: Following are the responsibilities of consumers to safeguard their interests :
(a) Awareness of rights : Consumers must be aware of their own rights. These rights are to safety, right t be heard, right to choose, right to be informed, right to seek redressal and right to consumer education. Consumers must exercise their rights.
(b) Full information : A consumer must have all relevant information before making the purchase. He should not depend entirely on the seller. He should verify the quality, quantity, utility, price etc. of products and services.
(c) Cash memo : A consumer must insist on cash memo, cash memo acts as a proof of purchase. Every seller is bound to give a cash memo.
(d)Cautious reliance on advertisement : Consumer should not believe the advertisements blindly. Consumers should compare the uses of the product given in the advertisement copy and actual product. Any discrepancy should be brought to the notice of relevant authorities.
(e)Quality conscious : Consumers must look at standard quality certification markets like ISI, Agmark, FPO, etc.
(f) Redressal of grievances : Consumers should file complaints for the redressal of genuine grievances.
Q13: What are the various remedies available to a consumer under Consume Protection Act, 1986?
Ans: Following are the remedies available to a consumer under Consumer Protection Act :
(a) Removal of defects from the goods.
(b) Replacement of the goods
(c) Refund of the price paid
(d) Award of compensation for or injury suffered.
(e) Removal of deficiency in services.
(f) Discontinuance of unfair trade practice or restricted trade practice.
(g) Stopping the sale of hazardous goods.
(h) Withdrawal of hazardous goods from being offered for sale.
(i) Payment of adequate costs to parties.
Q14: What type of judicial machinery is available to deal with consumer grievances and disputes?
Ans: The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides for three tier machinery for the redressal of consumer grievances :
(a) District forum : This is established by the state government in each district. It shall consists of a chairman and two members appointed by the state Government. Only those complaints can be filed in the District Forum where the value of goods or service and the compensation claimed is upto rupees twenty lakhs. An appeal against the order of the District forum can be filed with the State Commission within 30 days.
(b) State Commission : This is established by the Government in the state. It shall consist of a President who either is or has been a Judge of a High Court and two other members. All the three shall be appointed by the State Government. Only those complaints can be filed in the state commission where the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed exceed 20 lakhs but does not exceed Rs. 1 Crore. An appeal against the order of the state commission can be filed before the National Commission within 30 days.
National Commission : This is established by the Central Govt. It shall consist of a President who is or has been a judge of the Supreme Court and four other members. All shall be appointed by the Central Govt. All the complaints where the value of goods or services and the compensation sought is more than rupees I crore can be filed with the National Commission. An appeal against the order the National Commission can be filed before the Supreme Court within 30 days.
