Essay on Consumer Protection in India in English: Today the markets in India are flooded with innumerable goods. Both Indian and foreign companies are introducing their new products with fancy packing’s. The consumers belonging to middle and lower income groups are even not hesitating to take loans from banks and other financial institutions to purchase these products. In our country, consumer’s choice has increased manifold. The manufacturers are taking advantage of this situation. They very often do not care about the consumer's satisfaction. The result is that the consumers are being deceived by the misleading advertisements in the newspapers, T.V. and radio making big claims as to the high quality durability and after-sale service.
Essay on Consumer Protection in India in English
Today the markets in India are flooded with innumerable
goods. Both Indian and foreign companies are introducing their new products
with fancy packing’s. The consumers belonging to middle and lower income groups
are even not hesitating to take loans from banks and other financial
institutions to purchase these products. In our country, consumer’s choice has
increased manifold. The manufacturers are taking advantage of this situation.
They very often do not care about the consumer's satisfaction. The result is
that the consumers are being deceived by the misleading advertisements in the
newspapers, T.V. and radio making big claims as to the high quality durability
and after-sale service. The goods purchased by the consumers are often sub-standard
and do not match the high claims made by the manufacturers. One can see number
of consumers' complaints in the newspapers every day. Most of the manufacturers
do not pay any heed to the consumer’s complaints, besides this, the businessmen
and dealers not only indulge in unfair trade practices but also carry on
anti-social activities such as hoarding, black marketing, over-charging etc.
Under these circumstances, there is immense need to protect the consumers from
such malpractices.
The Consumer Protection Act was passed in the year 1986 to
safeguard the interests of consumer and to enable him to have right to a fair
deal. The Act has laid down certain basic rights of the consumer. Now he has
the right to be protected against marketing of goods which are hazardous to
life property. In order to protect the consumer against the unfair trade
practices, he has the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, purity,
potency, standard and price of the goods. The act provides for the consumer’s
right to be heard and to be assured that his interests will receive due
consideration at the appropriate forum. The act also provides for the right to
seek redressed against unfair trade practices.
As per act the consumer is a person who purchases any goods
or hires or avails of any service for a consideration. The consumer can
complain against unfair trade practices, defective goods, over-charging etc. He
can also lodge complaint to the appropriate forum if he finds there has been a
gross negligence or carelessness in providing proper services to him against
payment of required charges.
Under the Act, the defects have also been defined as any
fault, imperfection, and shortcoming in quality, quantity, purity or standard
which is required to be maintained by or under any law in force. The defects in
service include facilities in connection with electric carelessness or
negligence is supply, hotel management, banking, insurance, transport etc. All
services rendered by the professionals such as doctors, lawyers and architects
etc., are included under the ambit of the Act. The Act has made accountable
both the manufacturers and providers of service. The Consumer Protection Act
provides for the setting up of quasi-judicial bodies at district, State and
national level for cheap and quick redressed of consumers grievances. The
jurisdiction of courts has been laid down according to the amount of
compensation claimed or the cost of goods and service in question. If the cost
of goods or service or the compensation claimed is less than Rs. 5 lakh, the
complaint can be filed with the District Consumer Forum which has been set up
in each district. The suit under this Act should be filed belt before the forum
within the local limit of whose jurisdiction the opposite party carries on the
business or has a branch office. If the amount is over Rs. 5 lakh but within
Rs, 20 lakh., the suit can be filed before the State Consumer Disputes
Redressal Commission Which has been set up in State capital. If the amount
exceeds Rs. 20 lakh the case has to be filed before the National Commission at
New Delhi. If the opposite party is not satisfied with the orders of the
District Consumer Forum, he can file appeal to the state Commission and
thereafter, if necessary, he can file appeal to the National Commission.
However, the appeal must be filed within 30 days of the order.
The consumer can simply write down his complaint on a plain
paper and attach photo-copies of bill/receipt and other documents and send it
to the relevant court. The Consumer forum sends a copy of the complaint to the
opposite party who is required to send his reply within 30 days. The date for
hearing and settlement of dispute is fixed. Both the
parties are required to appear before the court. If the opposite party
does not respond to the summons then the case can be decided ex-parte. If the
complaint is found genuine the opposite party can be directed to (1) remove the
defect or replace the defective goods with new ones or refund the amount paid
for the goods; (2) remove the deficiency in service; and pay compensation for
loss caused on account of defective goods or services and also pay cost, if the
goods are found to be hazardous to life, the court may pass orders for
withdrawal of such goods. If the orders of the court are not complied with, it
can also award punishment with a minimum imprisonment of one month which may
extend to three years. The court can also levy fines between Rs, 2000 to Rs.
10000.
The legislative Act and statutes alone will not help the
consumers. Anti-social activities such as black-marketing, hoarding,
adulteration etc., can be successfully checked by consumer co-operatives and
consumer forums. In our country, consumer awareness cells of the Government
have laid down certain guidelines for the innocent consumers. They should ask
for a bill for the goods purchased. It can be appended to report the case
before the appropriate court. The bill should clearly mention the date, the name
of product and price paid. The consumer should look at the expiry date of the
products. Such products, whose expiry date is almost near, should not be
purchased. While purchasing the consumer durables, the guarantee card should be
asked for so that the replacement may be asked for or claim for damage may be
made. The consumer should note the ingredients of the food items and only such
items should be purchased which are beneficial for health. The consumer
awareness cells can educate the public through radio, T.V., Newspapers and
Magazines. The audio-visual aids can also be used to educate the consumer
residing in the rural areas.
The delay in disposal of complaints filed in the consumer
courts has weakened the redressal process and the consumers have to wait for justice
for a long time. However, it is praiseworthy that start has been made and it is
hoped that in the near future suitable measures will be taken to strengthen
these courts.
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