Table of Contents

Rights and duties of consumer

Table of Contents

Theoretical overview

Consumer have certain rights and duties as a consumer which he or she is not always aware of.

Rights of Consumers

The rights of a consumer are given under Section 6 in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

  1. Right to Protection: – It means the right to be protected from the marketing of goods and services dangerous to life and property. The benefits of the goods and services purchased should meet not only their immediate needs, but also their long-term interests. Before buying, consumers should emphasize on the quality of the products as well as the guarantee of the products and services. They should preferably buy quality marked products like ISI, AGMARK, etc.
  2. Right to Choose: – It means the right to have access to a wide variety of goods and services at a competitive price. In the case of a monopoly, it means the right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a reasonable price. It also includes the right to basic goods and services. This is because the unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean the denial of its fair share to the majority. This right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a wide variety of goods are available at competitive prices.
  3. Right to Information: – It means the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of the goods so as to protect the consumer from unfair trade practices. The consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or decision. This will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also prevent him from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques.
  4. Right to Consumer Education: – It means the right to acquire the knowledge and skills to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, especially rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and exercise them. Only then can real consumer protection be achieved with success.
  5. Right to be Heard: – This means that the interests of the consumer will be given due consideration at the appropriate forums. It also includes the right to be represented in various forums constituted to consider the welfare of the consumer. Consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can be given representation in various committees constituted by the government and other bodies in matters related to consumers.
  6. Right to Seek Redressal: – It means the right to redress against unfair trade practices or dishonest exploitation of consumers. It also includes the right to fair disposal of genuine consumer complaints. Consumers should complain for their genuine complaints. At times their complaint may be of little value but its impact on the society as a whole can be huge. They can also take the help of consumer organizations for redressal of their grievances.

Duties of consumer

  1. Consumers should always ensure that they have seen and understood all available information about the product and make an informed choice;
  2. Consumers should follow the rules while purchasing the goods and should not be illegal;
  3. Consumers should always insist on bills of purchase from the seller so that if there is a problem with the purchase, the problem can be resolved immediately;
  4. Consumers have a responsibility to call for exploitative behaviour and unfair trade practices on the part of the seller; and
  5. Consumers should form organizations that are non-political to express consumer needs and requirements.

Relevant section

The rights of a consumer are given under Section 6 in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Points to remember

  • Consumer have certain rights like right to education , right to seek redressal,  right to be heard, right to choose, right to heard etc
  • In same way consumer have some duties.

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