U.N. (Jr.

) College of Science & Technology

INTRODUCTION:

Consumer protection refers to protecting the right and interest

of consumer. The spread of education, increases in the number of
suppliers, consumers have started expecting better quality goods of
responsible price.

A consumer is exposed to many hazards like Physical,

environmental and exploitation due to unfair trade practices. He
should be protected from the consumption of unsafe products such as
adulterated establish, spurious medicines etc.

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1986:

The consumers in India need protection from unscrupulous

sellers. It is not possible to approach civil courts for every complaint,
in order to give quick, cheap and speedy justice to consumers in India,
Govt. of India passed the consumer protection act 1986. To when the
scope of this act it was amended n 1993 and again in 2002. Consumer
protection act has given six rights to consumer while two rights have
been recommended by UNO.

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FEATURES OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT:

1. Coverage of Sections:

The act applies to public, private and joint sectors.

2. Safeguards:

The act provides many safety measures to consumers with regard to

defective products, unsatisfactory service, unsure trade practice.

3. Compensatory Nature of Provisions:

The provisions of this act are compensatory in nature.

4. Grievance Redressal Machinery:

A three-tire grievance redressal machinery has been provided in the

act through the establishment of :

(i) District form at district level

(ii) State commission at state level
(iii) National commission at national level

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U.N. (Jr.) College of Science & Technology

IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION:

1. From Consumer’s Point of View:

(a) Spread Awareness: The ignorant consumers het information

about their rights and remedies through consumer protection.

(b) Crates Consumer Organization: Consumer protection helps to

create more and more organization to protect the interest consumers.

This organization not only guides the consumer but also file case
on behalf of consumer.

(c) Protection Against defect in Groups: When the buyer informs to

the seller the particular purpose the seller is hold responsible. When
goods are not supplied as per requirement.

(d) Protection against defect in services:

 Post and telegram dept.

 Insurance companies.
 Banking and financial institutions.
 Transport companies.
 Hotel boarding and lodging.

(e) Check Unfair Trade Practices: Falsely representing that goods are
of standard quality, quantity and grade falsely representing that seller
has sponsorship which does not exists. Misleading the usefulness of
goods.

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(f) Protect against higher prices: Sometimes seller changes higher

price than the printed price due to non-availability. Sometimes seller
does not allow discount which is offered by manufacturer. Consumer
needs to be protected against such high prices.

(g) Hazardous Goods: Consumer should be printed against

hazardous goods. In respect of such goods, the trader should display
information regarding the content, manner and effect of uses.

FROM BUSINESSMEN’S POINT OF VIEW:

(a) Success in the Long run: Consumer are the pillars of a business.
In order to survive in the long run the business should serve the
consumer fairly and honestly.

(b) Social Responsibility: Business uses the resources of society. So

it has social responsibility to sell quality goods at reasonable prices.

(c) Enhances good will: A good consumer service helps to maintain

good will and brings glory to the business. Consumer protection
encourages a business not to follow criminal activities.

(d) Prevents Govt.’s Intervention: When a business look after

interest of consumers, the possibility of government intervention is
reduced.

(e) Creating more consumers: To increase the business, it has to

retain the old customers and create customer. This is possible by
consumer protecting and satisfaction.

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U.N. (Jr.) College of Science & Technology

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSUMER:

1. Right to Safety:

The procedure providing goods in the market should be liable to

ultimate users if the person or the property in injured in the normal
use of goods.

2. Right to Information:

Consumer has a right to be informed of the quality, price,

operational requirements, adverse side effects, if any and other
relevant facts about the products.

3. Right to choose:

The consumer has right to choose from a valuable goods. This

right will be exercised only if a variety of goods is available.

4. Right against exploitation:

Consumer have right against exploitation from mal trade

practices, false and misleading and advertisements.

5. Right to buy a quality goods:

Consumer has a right to get good quality products and right

services.

6. Redressal of grievances:

In case the consumer feel aggrieved then, there should be a

machinery where he is heard.

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U.N. (Jr.) College of Science & Technology

7. Receive proper Satisfaction:

He has a right to receive proper satisfaction from goods and

services. The goods should satisfy the needs of the consumer.

8. Right to after-sale-service:

Consumers have a right to get satisfactory after sale service if it

was guaranteed by the manufacturer or seller.

(a) Exercising his rights:

Consumer has to exercise his rights when ever required. He

must know the government’s role in protecting consumer rights.

(b) Proceeding Cautiously:

The customer should proceed cautiously before buying by

asking full information regarding quality, price and other terms of
purchase.

(c) Filling Complaints:

Whenever any defect arises in the product the consumer should

fill complaint in the appropriate forum. He should fill for genuine loss.

(d) Quality Consciousness:

The consumer should be quality conscious. He should always ask

for quality products, the product bearing ISI mark, AG mark, ISO mark
etc.

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(e) Demand Cash Memo:

Whenever cash purchase in made, the consumer should cash

memo. The cash memo is the evidence of purchase of the product.

(f) Consuming legal goods:

The consumers should not try to obtain goods and services

through illegal means. Such action discourages black marketing and
hoarding.

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CONCLUSION:

Consumers are regarding as God of business. Their need desire

should be given consideration by every business. As some of business
are exploitation, consumers are saving and protecting them consumer
protected from act is necessary.

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