NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science Understanding Economic Development Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Q.1 Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.

Ans-

In market, producers are few and powerful whereas consumers are scattered and purchase goods in small amounts.This leads to situation where consumers get exploited. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for the consumers. For examples:

• When a chemist sells expired medicine to patient, the patient’s situation may get even worse.
• Seller exploits consumer by selling defective electronic appliances which can adversely harm the consumers.
• By selling adulterated fruits, juice, milk etc., producers exploit consumers.

Q.2 What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.

Ans-

The consumer movement in India was started out of the frustration of consumers against the unfair practices adopted by the sellers as a ‘Social force’. Moreover there was no legal system available to consumers to protect them from exploitation in the market place. The consumers could not tolerate the unethical and unfair trade practices like the rampant food shortage, black-marketing and hoarding of essential goods, adulteration of food etc. This gave birth to consumer movement in an organized form in the 1960s. Till 1970s, consumer organizations were largely engage in writing articles and holding exhibitions. Ultimately they formed consumer groups and forced the government to pass the Consumer Protection Act in 1986.

Q.3 Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.

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There is need for consumer consciousness so that consumers themselves can fight against unethical and unfair trade practices of produces or big manufactures in the market. When consumers become conscious of their rights, they will be able to discriminate and make informed choices while purchasing various goods and services. This calls for attaining the knowledge and skills to become a well aware consumer.

It requires a voluntary and active involvement of all consumers. There is a need to spread the awareness about the rights and duties of the consumers.

For example:

• A consumer should be alert while making any purchase, he/she should always demand proper cash memo which can be used as evidence in case something went wrong.
• A consumer should know about his/her rights and laws formulated for their betterment. Consumers should not suppress them or consider themselves as weak and should raise their voice against any injustice done to them.

Q.4 Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.

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Few factors which cause exploitation of consumers are as follows:

1. Illiteracy and Ignorance: Consumers in India, especially in rural areas, are mostly illiterate and ignorant. They do not understand their rights. A system is required to protect them from unscrupulous businessmen.

2. Unorganised Consumers: In India consumers are widely dispersed and are not united. They are at the mercy of businessmen. On the other hand, producers and traders are organized and powerful.

3. Spurious Goods: There is an increase in supply of duplicate products. It is getting very difficult for an ordinary consumer to distinguish between a genuine product and its imitation. It is necessary to protect consumers from such exploitation by ensuring compliance with prescribed norms of quality and safety.

4. Deceptive Advertising: Some businessmen give misleading information about quality, safety and utility of products. Consumers are misled by false advertisements and are not aware of the real quality of advertised goods. A mechanism is needed to prevent these misleading advertisements.

5. Malpractices of Businessmen: Fraudulent, unethical and monopolistic trade practices on the part of businessmen lead to the exploitation of consumers. Consumers often get defective, inferior and substandard goods at higher prices with poor service.

Q.5 What is the rationale behind the enactment of consumer Protection Act 1986?

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The rationale behind the enactment of consumer protection Act 1986 was to safeguards the interests of consumers in the market against big and powerful producers and manufacturers who often indulge in unfair means of making profits and exploit consumers for their self interests. Or we can also say government of India enacted the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA to correct the business conduct which may be unfair and against the interests of consumers.

Q.6 Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.

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Some of the duties as consumers when I visit a shopping complex in my locality include:

1. Checking the expiry date on the products before making the purchase.
2. Never paying more than the mentioned Maximum retail price for a product.
3. Cross checking the billing details and demanding for a proper bill.
4. Ensuring the safety conditions, hygiene, and cleanness maintained in the shopping complex.
5. Filing a complaint in case of discrepancy or unfair trade practice.

Q.7 Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?

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One should look for the AGMARK logo on all the food products before buying them. This mark is certified by the government and helps consumer to get assured quality while purchasing the goods and services.

Q.8 What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?

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The legal measures taken by the government to empower the consumers in India are as follows:

1. Enactment of COPRA, i.e., the consumer Protection Act 1986 under which consumers have been enabled certain rights such as right to safety, right to represent, right to seek redressal, right to choose, right to be informed, etc.
2. It has led to setting up of separate departments of consumer affairs in central and state governments through which the government spread information about legal process which people can use.
3. Enactment of a law popularly known as RTI (right to Information) Act, 2005, which ensures citizens of India all the information about the functions of government department.
4. Setting up of three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national level for the redressal of consumer disputes.

Q.9 Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.

Ans-

Some of the rights of consumer are:

1. Right to safety – It is included under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. It offers consumers’ protection against hazardous goods. The producers and sellers should provide safety assurance in case of household goods & appliances. Consumers should use appliances with ISI mark and ensure that they meet desired quality specifications.

2. Right to represent – Under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 consumers have the right to represent. It means the right to be heard and to be assured that consumers’ interest will receive due consideration. It implies the following:

• Consumer can file a case against exploitation in consumer courts at different levels.
• No legal formalities are required for filing a complaint.
• No need for employing a lawyer.

3. Right to be informed – Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. Consumers can complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the good proves to be defective in any manner. In recent times, this right has been expanded to cover various services provided by the government by the enactment of Right to Information Act, 2005. It gives citizens of India the right to access to information about the functioning of the government departments. It includes access to information such as public policy and procedures, departmental records, delivery of services, business information, etc.

4. Right to Choose – It deals with the issue of choosing between different alternatives of the product or service required. A consumer is free to choose the product from a variety of products at competitive prices.

5. Right to Seek Redressal – Consumers have the right to seek redressal of their grievances relating to performance, grade, quality etc. of the goods and services. Redressal forums are available at district, state and national level.

6. Right to Consumer Education – It is the right of a consumer to receive knowledge and skill to become an informed consumer. She/he has the right to be well informed/educated about the product he/she wishes to acquire and, the rights and reliefs available to him.

Q.10 By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?

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Consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumer groups and formal association for protection of their rights. These groups can guide individual consumers who have been exploited on how to approach the consumer court, and they even fight cases for consumers. These groups and associations can educate consumers about their rights.

Q.11 Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.

Ans-

The consumer movement was started out of the frustration of the consumers against the unfair practices adopted by the sellers. Consumer could no longer tolerate the rampant food shortage, black-marketing and hoarding of essential goods. So they started their movement in the 1960s in an organised form. Ultimately they formed consumer groups and forced the government to pass the Consumer Protection Act in 1986. The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organisations locally known as consumer forums or consumer protection councils. At present there are around 700 consumer groups working across the country but also 25-30 of them have got recognition from the government. They guide individual consumers who have been exploited on how to approach the consumer court, and they even fight cases for consumers. These voluntary organisations also receive financial support from the government for creating awareness among the people.

Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

After more than 25 years of the enactment of COPRA, consumer awareness in India is spreading but slowly. The rules and regulations for working of markets are often not followed. Besides this the enforcement of laws that protect workers, especially in the unorganised sectors is weak.

Q.12 Match the following.

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Q.13 Say True or False

1. COPRA applies only to goods.
2. India is one of the many countries in the World which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
3. When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
4. It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
5. Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery.
6. The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
7. A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

Ans-

1. COPRA applies only to goods. – False
2. India is one of the many countries in the World which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal. –True
3. When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court. – True
4. It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value. – False
5. Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery. – True
6. The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick. – False
7. A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage. – True