Published 18:23 IST, December 24th 2020

National Consumer Day 2020: Significance, objectives and rights of consumers

National Consumer Day is observed to create awareness and consumer protection, right to safety, and right to be informed while purchasing good and services.

India News
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As India observes National Consumer’s Rights Day on December 24 that aims to create awareness about rights and responsibilities of consumers under Consumer Protection Act passed in 1986, here are some key facts that consumers must kw to ensure protection, right to safety, and right to be informed while purchasing good and services.

A ‘consumer’ under opted Act

A consumer is recognized by law as someone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership rar than for resale or use in production and manufacturing. While for centuries, consumers were left without any rights, India’s Consumer Protection Division implemented Consumer Protection Act in 1986 and Consumer Protection in 1987 to protect ‘interests’ of consumers and ir grievances after sale of goods and services from buyers. It was December 24 when government framed policies to safeguard rights of consumers.

[Credit: Pixabay/Representative Im]

Objective and Significance

government formed National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, apex consumer courts and appointed members to NCDRC, and formed Consumer Protection Division. Under new protection mechanism to protect rights of consumers, government also launched several schemes to curb tre follies, market abuse, seller’s exploitation, and injustices towards consumers. Act also ensures legal protection to customers against malicious business practices and sale of defective goods and services by legally dressing products’ liability. Grieved consumers could report negligence in case y me a purchase of product which is unsatisfactory. And hence, on December 24, 1986, Consumer Protection Act 1986 was approved by President of India aimed at safeguarding India’s consumers.

[Credit: Pixabay/Representative Im]

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Consumers’ Rights: Kw your rights.

re are at least 8 rights that consumers are bestowed under Consumer Protection Act of 1986. This also includes six international consumer rights listed by UN Charter to ensure fair treatment of consumer and settlement of disputes at consumer courts for aggrieved consumers.

Right to Safety: Protects consumers against marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property.
Right to be Informed: Ensures that consumer is informed about quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard, and price of goods to protect him against malicious tre practices.
Right to Choose: Ensures consumers’ access to a variety of goods and services at a competitive price. Incase of mopolies, act safeguards right to satisfactory quality and services at a fair price.
Right to be Heard: In case of disputes, consumer's interests will be given due consideration by government and consumer's welfare will be priority.
Right to Seek redressal: Consumers’ right to complaint incase of grievances arising due to unscrupulous exploitation and unfair practice.
Right to Consumer Education: This right needs to uphold in rural areas where customers are exploited due to negligence. Consumers have a right to dispute in case y aren’t equately informed, manipulated or are given wrong information about product.