Question 1: Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer:
Marketplace regulations are vital for consumer protection. Without them, buyers’ risk being misled by sellers, often bearing the blame for any complaints. Sellers commonly evade responsibility once goods are sold. Rules ensure consumers aren’t left vulnerable. For instance, if a product purchased turns out to be expired, regulations compel shopkeepers to provide restitution, preventing potential refusal of compensation.
Question 2: What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Answer:
Factors contributing to the rise of the consumer movement in India:
1. Lack of legal safeguards against marketplace exploitation.
2. Urgency to protect consumer interests from unethical practices.
3. Challenges like food shortages, black marketing, and adulteration.
4. Pre-1970s focus of consumer organizations on awareness campaigns.
5. Surge in consumer groups since the 1980s, now totaling around 700.
6. Growing consumer awareness shifting market dynamics towards buyer-centricity.
7. Influence of consumer movements prompting the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986, aimed at safeguarding consumer rights.
Question 3: Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer:
Consumer vigilance is crucial to avoid exploitation and unjust charges in the marketplace. For instance, checking product expiry and manufacturing dates before purchase can prevent buying expired items. If such products are encountered, consumers should report the seller to the consumer forum.
Similarly, always requesting a computerized bill serves as evidence in case of receiving incorrect products. This documentation aids in seeking resolution from the consumer forum if necessary.
Question 4: Mention a few factors which cause the exploitation of consumers.
Answer:
Consumer exploitation arises from:
1. Limited awareness: Neglecting proper bills exposes consumers to defective items.
2. Weak regulation enforcement: Poor monitoring enables exploitation.
3. Ignoring minor losses: Overlooking small issues enables sellers to exploit.
4. Insufficient consumer awareness: Checking MRP, expiry, and manufacturing dates is crucial to prevent exploitation.
Question 5: What is the rationale behind the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Answer:
The Consumer Protection Act 1986 aimed to establish a dedicated department for addressing consumer complaints, separate from those of the Central and state governments. Its primary goal was to address consumer exploitation in the marketplace through consumer courts.
Question 6: Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Answer:
As consumers, our responsibilities include:
1. Requesting a proper bill for purchases.
2. Verifying the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and paying the market price.
3. Inspecting expiry and manufacturing dates before purchasing goods.
4. Reporting any exploitation of marketplace laws to consumer courts.
5. Addressing even minor disparities to prevent them from persisting and affecting others.
Question 7: Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?
Answer:
Before purchasing items like honey or biscuits, ensure they bear the Agmark and ISI marks. These symbols indicate that the products are manufactured by government-authorized companies.
Question 8: What legal measures were taken by the government to empower consumers in India?
Answer:
Governmental actions to empower consumers include:
- Enacting the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) to safeguard consumers from market exploitation.
- Passing the Right to Information Act in 2005, enabling citizens to understand government operations.
- Establishing consumer courts to address grievances concerning disparities with consumers.
Question 9: Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Answer:
Consumer rights encompass:
- Right to Information: Ensured by the RTI Act of 2005, empowering citizens with government operational knowledge.
- Right to Choose: Every consumer has the freedom to select services without discrimination based on age, gender, or service nature.
- Right to Seek Redressal: Consumers can pursue compensation for damages resulting from unfair trade practices or exploitation.
- Right to Representation: Consumers possess the right to present their grievances before consumer courts and seek legal remedy.
Question 10: By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Answer:
Consumers can unite in small groups to oppose exploitative trade policies. These groups may receive financial assistance from the government to pursue legal action against errant shopkeepers.
Question 11: Critically examine the progress of the consumer movement in India.
Answer:
The consumer movement in India has gained momentum in recent years, propelled by government-enacted consumer rights. The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) facilitates easier complaint filing against unfair practices by shopkeepers or sellers. Increased awareness has led to swift action against marketplace malpractices, empowering the public to assert their rights.
Question 12: Match the following.
| (i) Availing details of ingredients of a product | (a) Right to safety |
| (ii) Agmark | (b) Dealing with consumer cases |
| (iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter | (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals |
| (iv) District Consumer Court | (d) Agency that develops standards for goods and services |
| (v) Consumers International | (e) Right to information |
| (vi) Bureau of Indian Standards | (f) Global-level institution of consumer welfare organisations |
Answer:
| (i) Availing details of ingredients of a product | (e) Right to information |
| (ii) Agmark | (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals |
| (iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter | (a) Right to safety |
| (iv) District Consumer Court | (b) Dealing with consumer cases |
| (v) Consumers International | (f) Global-level institution of consumer welfare organisations |
| (vi) Bureau of Indian Standards | (d) The agency that develops standards for goods and services |
Question 13: Say True or False.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
Answer: False
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
Answer: True
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
Answer: True
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
Answer: True
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for the standardisation of jewellery.
Answer: True
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
Answer: False
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Answer: True
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