Some of the rights of consumers are as follows :
→ Right to choice — Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive that service. Under this right, a consumer may also choose any one of the various brands of a product (say, a refrigerator) available in the market.
→ Right to redressal — Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation.
→ Right to represent — The act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

Consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumer groups that write articles or hold exhibitions against traders' exploitation. These groups guide individuals on how to approach a consumer court, and they even fight cases for consumers. Such groups receive financial aid from the government to create public awareness. Participation of one and all will further strengthen consumer solidarity.

The consumer movement in India has evolved vastly since it began. There has been a significant change in consumer awareness in the country. Till the enactment of COPRA in 1986, the consumer movement did not bear much force, but ever since its inception, the movement has been empowered substantially. The setting up of consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move. However, in contemporary India, the consumer redressal process is quite complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Filing cases, attending court proceedings, hiring lawyers, and other procedures make it cumbersome. In India, there are over 700 consumer groups of which, unfortunately, only about 20-25 are well-organised and functioning smoothly.

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

 

 

ans (i) e (ii) c (iii) a (iv) b (v) f (vi) d

(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellry.
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.

Answer

(i) False
(ii) True
(iii) True
(iv) True
(v) True
(vi) False
(vii) True

1. A consumer
(i) Sells goods and services (ii) Buy goods and services
(iii) Produces goods and services (iv) Delivers goods and services

2. Adulteration is
(i) Selling defective items (ii) Overpricing
(iii) Underweight measurement (iv) Mixing cheap materials

3. Causes of consumer exploitation
(i) Right to Information (ii) Proper Supply (iii) Low literacy (iv) High literacy

4. Which is not a function of PDS
(i) Control Hoarding (ii) Control Prices
(iii) Control over charging (iv) Consumer Redressal

5. COPRA stands for
(i) Consumer Protection Act (ii) Consumer Prevention Act
(iii) Consumer Police Act (iv) Consumer Power Act

6. Pick odd one out
(i) Right to information (ii) Right to choice
(iii) Right to adulteration (iv) Right to redressal

7. Pick odd one out
 (i) Right to safety (ii) Right to life
(iii) Right to consumer education (iv) Right to representation

8. National Consumer Day is celebrated in India
(i) 24 December (ii) 25 December (iii) 26 December (iv) 27 December

9. COPRA does not propose formation of
(i) National Consumer Court (ii) State Consumer Court
(iii) District Consumer Court (iv) High Court

10. ISO stands for
(i) International Standard Organization
(ii) International Organization for Standardization
(iii) International School Organization
(iv) International Standardization 

Answer Key of MCQ:
1(ii) 2(iv) 3(iii) 4(iv) 5(i) 6(iii)
7(ii) 8(i) 9(iv) 10(ii)

Consumer Protection Act 1986 (COPRA) is enacted in India with following motives:
(i) To pressurize business firms. 
(ii) To correct unfair business conduct.
(iii) To protect the interests of the consumers.

By consumer protection we mean the protection of the consumers against the unfair and malpractices
 adopted by the businessmen. These may be grouped mainly into two categories.
(i) Government measures
(ii) Voluntary measures