question_answer 13)

Explain the rights and responsibilities of a consumer.

Answer:

The Consumer Protection Act provides six rights to consumer. They are as follows (i) Right to Safety The consumer has a right to be protected again goods and services which are hazardous to life. e.g., sometimes we purchased the food items of low quality which causes severe problems. Thus, in this case, we should purchased good quality and FPO labeled products. (ii) Right to be Informed The consumer has a right to have complete information about the product, which he intends to buy including its ingredients, date of manufacture, price , quantity, directions for use etc. Under the legal framework of India manufactures have to provide such information on the package and label of the product. (iii) Right to Choose The consumer has the freedom to choose from a variety of products. The marketers should offer a wide variety of products and allow the consumer to make a choice and choose the product which is most suitable. (iv) Right to be Heard The consumer has a right to file a complaint and to be heard in case of dissatisfaction with a good or a service. It is because of this reason that many enlightened business firms have set up their own consumer service and grievance cells. (v) Right to Seek Redressal The Consumer Protection Act provides a number of reliefs to the consumer including replacement of the product, removal of defect in the product, compensation paid for any loss or injury suffered by the consumer etc. (vi) Right to Consumer Education The consumer has a right to acquire knowledge about products. He should be aware about his rights and the reliefs available to him in case of a product/service falling short of his expectations. Many consumer organizations and some enlightened businesses are taking an active part in educating consumers in this respect. Consumer Responsibilities A consumer must be aware about these responsibilities while purchasing, using and consuming goods and services (i) Consumer must be aware of all their rights. (ii) Consumer must be careful while purchasing a product. (iii) He should file complaint for the redressal of genuine grievances. (iv) Consumer must buy a standardized good. (v) He should ask for a cash-memo on purchase of goods and services.