Consumer Rights
By Aarish Sir
Important Question Answers
1. Who is a consumer?
Answer:
A consumer is a person who buys goods or avails services for personal use, not for resale or commercial purposes. According to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, a consumer is one who:
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Buys goods or hires services for consideration (money, promise to pay, etc.)
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Uses goods with the approval of the buyer (e.g., family member)
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Is not engaged in resale or commercial purposes.
2. What are consumer rights?
Answer:
Consumer rights are the rights given to every consumer to protect them from unfair trade practices and exploitation. The main consumer rights are:
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Right to Safety – protection against hazardous goods and services.
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Right to Information – about quality, quantity, price, purity, etc.
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Right to Choose – freedom to select from a variety of goods and services.
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Right to be Heard – consumer’s interests must be heard in forums.
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Right to Seek Redressal – against unfair trade practices.
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Right to Consumer Education – awareness of rights and responsibilities.
3. What is the need for consumer awareness?
Answer:
Consumer awareness is necessary because:
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Many sellers adopt unfair trade practices like adulteration, overcharging, black marketing, etc.
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Consumers are often exploited due to lack of information about products and services.
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False advertising misleads buyers.
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To ensure safety, health, and quality of life.
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To strengthen consumers to demand their rights and avoid exploitation.
4. What is the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA)? When was it enacted?
Answer:
The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) is a law enacted by the Government of India in 1986 to protect consumers from exploitation and provide redressal against unfair trade practices.
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It established a three-tier consumer dispute redressal system (District, State, National levels).
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It legally recognized consumer rights.
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It empowers consumers to take legal action against sellers/service providers.
5. What are consumer responsibilities?
Answer:
Along with rights, consumers also have some responsibilities:
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Be aware of rights and duties.
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Buy goods after checking ISI, AGMARK, Hallmark, etc.
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Check expiry date, price, weight, and quality.
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Demand bills and receipts.
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File complaints against unfair trade practices.
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Avoid being influenced blindly by advertisements.
6. What is a consumer forum?
Answer:
Consumer forums (or consumer protection councils) are voluntary organizations formed by consumers to:
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Guide consumers about rights and responsibilities.
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Help them file complaints in consumer courts.
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Take up cases of consumer exploitation collectively.
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Spread awareness about consumer issues through campaigns and publications.
7. What is the three-tier redressal mechanism under COPRA?
Answer:
The three-tier system under COPRA includes:
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District Consumer Forum – For claims up to ₹20 lakhs.
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State Consumer Commission – For claims between ₹20 lakhs and ₹1 crore.
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National Consumer Commission – For claims above ₹1 crore.
8. Explain the Right to Information (RTI).
Answer:
The Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed in 2005 to promote transparency in the functioning of government organizations. Under this act:
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Any citizen can request information from government departments.
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It ensures accountability and reduces corruption.
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It empowers consumers to know about government policies, spending, and decisions.
9. Why is it important to look for logos like ISI, Agmark, and Hallmark?
Answer:
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These logos are quality certifications that ensure safety and reliability.
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ISI mark – for industrial products (fans, heaters, pressure cookers).
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Agmark – for agricultural products (pulses, grains, oils).
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Hallmark – for gold and jewellery.
By checking these marks, consumers are protected from adulteration, substandard quality, and fraud.
10. What are the various ways by which consumers can be exploited?
Answer:
Consumers are often exploited through:
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Adulteration (mixing harmful substances in food items).
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Overcharging (charging more than MRP).
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Underweight and under-measurement.
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Misleading advertisements.
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Black marketing and hoarding.
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Sale of defective goods.
11. How can consumers seek redressal against exploitation?
Answer:
Consumers can:
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Approach consumer forums and courts established under COPRA.
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File complaints online at consumer helplines.
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Take help of voluntary consumer organizations.
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Approach media to highlight exploitation.
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Exercise their rights collectively through consumer movements.
12. What is the significance of consumer movements in India?
Answer:
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Consumer movements create awareness about consumer rights.
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They act as pressure groups on business firms and the government.
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They have led to the enactment of laws like COPRA (1986) and RTI (2005).
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They help consumers get justice in case of exploitation.
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