What Should You Know About Consumer Rights In India

The consumer controls the market which means the demand made by the consumer is the reason for the sale of the seller. The consumer is the king of the market. Hence his rights should be protected.

To protect the rights of consumers, the consumer protection Act 1986 was enacted. It encourages consumers to speak up about the inadequacies and defects in products and services. The purpose of the Act is to assist both consumer and seller. It avoids lengthy lawsuits.

Importance of Consumer Rights

The consumer rights make people aware about their right to have full information about the product which they buy. Many people buy contaminated products which can harm their health. To avoid such situations, the government has provided certain consumer rights.

The consumer rights ensure that the manufacturer or the seller do not cheat them. It protects the consumer from any fraud. Under the consumer protection act the consumer can file a complaint and can receive compensation for receiving damaged or low quality products. It even works as a stick upon the seller or manufacturer to sell the quality goods to the consumer and refrain from doing any cheating otherwise they can be penalised under the Act.

Types of Consumer Rights in India

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides the six rights to the consumer. Everyone should be aware of these rights so that they can use these rights.

• Right to be Protected: Every consumer has the right to be protected from hazardous and dangerous goods. It includes all disciplines that potentially have a significant impact on consumer health or well-being, such as automobiles, housing, household appliances, travel, medications, and food production. The consumer should insist on the goods’ guarantee and quality before purchasing. They should look for the product having an AGMARK or ISI-approved mark.

• Right to access to goods and services: The consumer has a right to access to goods and services at a competitive price, which also means fair price. The seller cannot force the consumer to buy a particular brand. In the case of monopoly, the goods and services should be of good quality at reasonable prices. It even includes the right to basic services and goods.

• Right to be Informed: To protect the consumer from unfair trade practices, the consumer has the right to be fully informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods they wish to purchase. The consumer can insist on getting all the information so that they can make a wise decision. It will also protect the consumer from falling prey to high-pressure selling techniques.

• Right to Consumer Redressal: In the cases of unfair trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation, the consumer has the right to seek Redressal. In cases of genuine consumer grievances, the consumer has a right to get fair settlement. The consumer has an option to file a complaint in the consumer court. He can even take the help from consumer organisations. The compensation can be in the form of money, replacement or repair of defective goods.

• Right to consumer education: It means that the consumer has the right to be aware about their rights to avoid situations of exploitation. Consumers have the right to acquire required skills or knowledge to become an informed consumer. When customers are aware of their rights and the current laws and authorities in place to protect them, they can take appropriate action. The government has also incorporated consumer education into the school curricula and university courses.

• Right to be Heard: Every consumer has a right that his interest should be protected at an appropriate forum. The consumer has the right to be represented at the appropriate forum. They have the right to put forward their complaints, raise their voice against the goods or services.

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