Consumer Rights Class 10 Notes

Consumer Rights Class 10 Notes for the academic year 2023-2024 aimed at educating students about the importance of being a well-informed consumer in the Indian market. The Consumer Protection Act is an essential law in India that serves to protect consumers against unfair trade practices. Consumers must be aware of the quantity, quality, purity, standard, and prices of goods and services. 

Our Class 10 Economics Chapter 5 Notes on Consumer Rights provide a detailed overview of the consumer movement, the role of people in advocating for their rights, and the various organizations helping consumers in different ways. This article will explore the significance of Consumer Rights in India and provide practical tips for effective preparation.

Consumer Rights Class 10 Economics Chapter 5 – Detailed Notes

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 

The Consumer Protection Act, of 1986 (COPRA) was a Parliament of India Act created to defend the interests of Indian consumers. It was repealed in 2019 by the Consumer Protection Act,2019. The measure was voted by the Assembly in October 1986 and took effect on December 24, 1986. The right statute was enacted prior to the COPRA act. It was created to establish consumer councils and other bodies for the resolution of consumer disputes and related topics.

It gives easy and fast compensation to consumer grievances and also encourages consumers to speak up against flaws in goods and services. The main aim of the Act is to bestow aid to both parties and eliminate discrepancies. A platform is provided for consumers for filing a complaint, the forum takes action against the concerned authorities, and compensation is generated for customers.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enforced by the Indian legislature for dealing with matters concerning violation of consumer’s rights, use of unfair trade practices, advertisements that are incorrect, and circumstances that are against consumer rights. The main provision behind the enactment of the Act was to include provisions such as e-commerce due to the advancement of technology, the use of the online platform has increased many folds in the years that passed by.

Consumer Protection Councils are established to settle disputes in any case of dispute and provide good compensation for the consumers in case of infringement. Further, effective and speedy disposal of resolutions for disputes also promotes consumer education for educating consumers about rights, and responsibilities and also for redressal of grievances.

Objectives of the Consumer Protection Act

The prime objective of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide a mechanism for quick actions on complaints and to provide protection to customers. Some essential objectives of the Act are listed below:

1. Right to Information about quality, quantity, etc.
2. Right to protection against unfair means and measures.
3. Right to access goods and services at market rates. 
4. Right to protection against hazardous goods.
5. Rights to be heard in forums and councils to address issues.

Consumer Protection Council

The movement of consumers in India has led to the formation of a plethora of organizations, which are known as consumer protection councils. They help consumers how to file cases in Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and in case of many occasions they also represent individual consumers and also receive financial support from the government for the importance of creating awareness among the people. For example, in the case of urban areas, Residents’ Welfare Associations are present in the case of unfair trade practices.

In the case of COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery was set up at the district, state, and national levels for the redressal of consumer disputes. District-level authority is called District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission which deals with cases with claims up to 1 crore, the State level Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission called State Commission between 1 crore- 10 crores, and National Commission with cases exceeding 10 crores. The Act has thus helped consumers to have the Right to Represent in Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.

What are Consumer Rights?

Consumers are granted particular rights and duties that they can exercise and must follow on a regular basis, according to the Consumer Protection Act definition.  A thorough awareness of the rights granted to consumers under the COPRA Act of 1986 will aid in the development of a better understanding of which complaints will be handled and which will not. The elements listed below make up a list of consumer rights guaranteed under the COPRA Act: 

• Right to Consumer Education

Users must be aware of their rights in order to prevent being taken advantage of. The right to acquire the information and skills necessary to be a well-informed consumer throughout one’s life. Consumer ignorance, particularly among rural customers, is mostly responsible for their exploitation. 

• Right to Seek Compensation

They have the right to seek monetary or other forms of compensation in response to complaints they bring alleging unethical marketing practices. Right to seek remedies against unfair consumer exploitation or illicit commercial methods. It also covers the right to a reasonable and equitable settlement of a consumer’s legitimate complaints. They should be well-informed about their rights as well as able to control them.

• Right to be Heard

One of the rights guaranteed to customers by the Consumer Protection Act is the right to be heard. They should be heard in a forum about their concerns or feedback on the goods or services they have received. Customers’ concerns should be understood by the vendor, according to this right. It also gives them the opportunity to be heard prior to the sessions and consumer reviews. 

• Right to be Informed

Before making a purchase, they should be aware of product facts. This is an act to provide for the organizational modifications of the Right to Information for people to obtain data under the control of public jurisdictions, in order to establish clarity as well as responsibility in the operation of every public authority, the establishment of a centralized Committee, and the establishment of a State Information.

• Right to Choose

Consumers should be able to select from a variety of possibilities and purchase only when they find one that meets their needs.

• Right to safety

They have the right to seek quality assurance on any product or service they buy. Consumers have the right to be protected from products and services that endanger their health, lives, or property. Electrical equipment lacking the ISI mark, for example, can cause significant harm. When introducing iron into the market, the applications of iron should be addressed.

Consumer Responsibilities

There are certain aspects that are the responsibility of the consumer, as mentioned below:

• Responsibility to Think Independently

Independent choices should be made by the consumers and they should be aware and concerned about what they want and what they need.

• Responsibility to be Aware

A consumer should always be concerned and mindful of the quality and also the safety of the products and services used before the purchase.

• Responsibility to Complain

It is the duty and also the responsibility of the consumer to express and also complain about any dissatisfaction with the goods or services and also to give a fair chance.

• Responsibility of the Consumer to be fair

Consumers should always be fair and not engage in activities that can be disrespectful or deceptive.

How to file a Complaint?

Customers have the right to complain in the case of any discrepancies in goods and services; irrespective of the issue related to quality or price. It is the right of the consumer o to get redressed to their favor if these grievances hold valid. Some essential points to be borne in mind while filing a complaint:

1. Within two years of the purchase of the product or services, the complaint has to be filed.
2. Details of the problem have to be mentioned in the complaint. There can be a demand for the exchange or replacement of the product, and compensation for the difficulties, and also the declaration has to be reasonable and valid.
3. Relevant receipts and bills should be kept and attached to the complaint letter.
4. Written complaints after the above should be sent to the consumer forum by email, registered post, or hand-delivered. Acknowledgment is important.
5. Complaints can be made in any preferred language.
6. The hiring of a practicing lawyer is not required.
7. All the documents which are sent or received should be kept safely for future correspondence.

Conclusion

The consumer movement originated in the 1960s and grew in popularity in the 1970s. Consumer displeasure began to be expressed through the written word, such as blogs and newspapers. Until the 1960s, India was troubled by black market manipulation, hoarding, poor weighing, and even food adulteration. These were issues that harmed the consumer’s well-being and amounted to consumer exploitation. Consumers raised their voices in response to their displeasure with merchants and manufacturers and their methods. The Act’s goal was to safeguard consumers’ rights while also preserving free commerce in the market, competition, and accurate information. This is now known as National Consumers’ Day.

FAQs on Consumer Rights Class 10 Notes

What is Consumer Protection Act?

The Consumer Protection Act was implemented in 1986, which gives easy and fast compensation to the grievances of consumers and safeguards and also encourages consumers to speak up against injustice.

What is Consumer Protection Act 1986?

The Consumer Protection Act 1986 seeks for provision of better protection of the interests of the consumers and also for establishment of consumer councils and other important authorities for settlement of disputes.

What is Consumer Protection Act 2019?

It refers to the law to protect the interests of the customers and provides a safety for consumers regarding defective products and other unfair trade.

Who can file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act?

One or more consumers can file complaint, any registered volunrary consumer association, Central and State Government, heirs, legal representatives of consumers.