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Consumer Awareness Responsibility Consumer Rights wordfly

 Consumer Awareness Responsibility Consumer Rights

In simple words consumer awareness means if you are consumer or buyer then you should aware of the information of the products, goods, and services and consumer rights. It help the buyer to take the right decision. Consumers have the right to be informed, right to choose, right to safety and right to seek redressal. It ensures that they are not cheated or deceived by the seller and also to fix the fair practice of business. Now let's discuss in details.


Who is consumer?

A consumer is the end-user of any goods and services. He/she purchases the product for own uses or to consumes.A consumer cannot resell the goods, products and services.


Consumer rights and responsibilities 

For consumers in the marketplace, rules and regulations are required to protect them from malpractices by the seller or business and to fight in the consumer court them. Individual consumers are often find themselves in a weak position. Whenever you complaint regarding a good and service the seller tries to shift all the responsibility on the buyer. So in order to protect yourself from this type of malpractice consumer awareness is necessary l.


When you exercise consumer rights?

Exploitation in the marketplace happens in various ways:


If the goods provided to you by the seller or business company is not a good quality for your paid. or when shopkeeper weight less than what they should or when defective goods are sold.


When market do not work in a fair manner some powerful and large companies with huge wealth and reach manipulate market and circulate false information and claiming their products to be better through the media and other sources to attract consumers. A long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette- manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer. Therefore, it must need consumer rights to protect consumers.


If you are in the hospital and you are getting your treatment and if the treatment is not done properly then in that situation you can file complaint in the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and claim compansation for medical negligence and deficiency.


If you are given an exam or an interview and the result is not declared in the reasonable time and if the officials also refuse to comply with your queries, then you can file an application using RTI Act.

Consumer Rights 

 Right to safety This is the first and the most important rights amongst all the right. Consumers have the right to ban those products which harm the human life and environment and hazardous to our health mental or physical.


Right to choose No seller or business company force you to select or buy the product. Now a days same goods and services are produced by different industries at different prices you are free to choose which is relevant to you.

Monopoly (A condition in which only one seller may offer goods and services to the public or in other words we can say that one seller for may buyers )


Right to Be informed The seller or producer should informed about the products to the consumer the should not hide or provide false information about the products. When we buy any product details are given on the packing. These details are about ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer. When we buy medicines, on the packets, you might find 'directions for proper use' and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage of that medicine. When you buy garments, you will find information on instructions for washing.


Right to heard Consumer has the right to complain to the seller or producer if the good is defective or any other issue related to the quality of good.


Right to seek redressal If the consumer is unsatisfied with the product purchased then the consumer has the right to file for compansation or replace the product and return the amount paid for the product. 


Consumer Responsibilities

Consumer should be well aware of the product product they are buying. They should act as a cautious consumer while purchasing any product. An aware consumer stand against unfair practices and may take change in society.

They should be aware of the Consumer Protection Act. And exercise when it's need.


If the product is faulty or unhealthy to use or unsatisfied then you should complaint. 


A consumer should ask for the receipt for the product you bought.


And the most important is to check the standard mark like hallmark, ISI, Agmark, etc weather the product is quality product or general. 


Consumer Protection Acts 

Consumer protection act comes into act in 1896 to protect the rights of consumers. It's purpose is to protect the consumers from malpractices by business which in turn harm the consumer and society 


This act aware the consumers about the products and their rights and provide justice when the product is faulty.


Redressal : Three tier system under consumer act 

District Forum: This is set by the district of the state concerned in each district wherein it consists of President and two members. In this, the who complaint can claim compensation, and the compensation is not more than 20 Lacs and once the complaint is filed the product is sent for testing and if it found defective then the accused party should compensate and if who complaint is dissatisfied can make an appeal with state commission within 30 days.

State Commission: This is set up by each state It consists of President and two members.The compensation must exceeds rupees Fifty Lakhs, but does not exceed rupees Two Crores. The goods are sent for testing and if found defective are asked for replacement or compensation. If not  satisfied can make an appeal within 30 days in front of the National Commission.

National Commission: Consist of a President and 4 members. Complaints where value of goods or services paid as consideration exceeds rupees ten crore. The goods are sent for testing and if found defective are asked for replacement or compensation.

How to file a complaint 

Consumer cannot file complaint after two years of purchasing the product.


Consumer should have to mention the details of the problem in the complaint. This can be replace money return or compensated for metal or physical torture. And the declared one must be reasonable.

Complaint can be filed in any language 

All the relevant receipts, bills should be kept and attached to the complaint letter.

The hiring of a lawyer should not be required.


Consumer Awareness In India 

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has conducted a country-wide multimedia awareness campaign titled "Jago Grahak Jago".This is the most successful consume awareness campaign in India.The purpose of this campaign is to aware about fraudulent practices and problems and how to tackle these problems with the help of concerned . Consumer Rights Day in India is celebrated on 24th December every year.


 World Consumer Rights Day 

Around the world, organizations and governments celebrate Consumer Rights Day on 15th March every year with various activities, such as:

Educational Campaigns: These include events like workshops, seminars, and public talks that teach people about their rights and how to use them.

Advocacy Efforts: These are campaigns aimed at changing laws or rules to make sure consumers are better protected.

 Media Outreach: This involves using articles, TV shows, and social media to spread the word about consumer rights.

Consumer Assistance Programs: These are services that help people solve problems and disputes with businesses.

How can you make a difference As a consumer you can help promote rights by:

Staying Informed: Stay updated on what rights you have and any current consumer issues.

Speaking Up: Report unfair practices to the right authorities or organizations that protect consumers.

Supporting Ethical Businesses: Buy from companies that respect consumer rights and act ethically.

Educating Others: Tell your friends and family about consumer rights so they can make better choices

Consumer Rights Day is more than just a date; it reminds us why protecting consumer rights is important and encourages us to keep working for better practices. By knowing and using our rights, we help make the market fairer and safer for everyone.


Let’s celebrate by staying informed and active in protecting our rights and helping others do the same.





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