Consumer Rights - Consumer Rights | State Boards 2023-24 | Class 10 Economics

Summary

This video by Digra Singh Rajput explains consumer rights for Class 10 Economics, highlighting the importance of protecting consumers in the marketplace. It covers key rights including the right to safety, information, choice, redressal, and representation, illustrated through real-life case studies like Riji’s medical negligence, Abhirami’s coaching refund, and Prakash’s money order issue. The video also explains the three-tier consumer disputes redressal system under COPRA and emphasizes the role of consumer awareness campaigns like 'Jago Grahak Jago'. By understanding and exercising these rights, consumers can make informed decisions, safeguard themselves from exploitation, and ensure justice when their rights are violated.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consumers have fundamental rights, including the right to safety, information, choice, redressal, and representation.
• 😀 The Right to Safety ensures protection against goods and services hazardous to life or property, as illustrated by Riji Mathew's case with medical negligence.
• 😀 The Right to Information allows consumers to make informed decisions by knowing product details like ingredients, expiry dates, MRP, and government service processes.
• 😀 The Right to Choose empowers consumers to select goods and services freely without being forced into unwanted purchases, exemplified by Abhirami’s coaching institute case.
• 😀 The Right to Seek Redressal allows consumers to claim compensation or remedies when their rights are violated, demonstrated in Prakash’s money order dispute.
• 😀 The Right to Represent enables consumers to represent themselves or hire representation in consumer disputes, with guidance from consumer protection councils if needed.
• 😀 Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions operate at three levels under COPRA: District (up to ₹1 crore), State (₹1-10 crore), and National (above ₹10 crore), with appeal options to higher levels.
• 😀 Awareness campaigns like 'Jago Grahak Jago' and certification marks (ISI, Hallmark, FSSAI) help consumers become well-informed and make safe choices.
• 😀 Legal frameworks like COPRA and the Right to Information Act provide citizens with mechanisms to enforce their rights and ensure transparency in both market and government services.
• 😀 Being a conscious consumer involves knowing your rights, making informed choices, and taking action to restore violated rights, promoting accountability among sellers and service providers.
• 😀 Consumer movements and protection councils play a crucial role in supporting individuals, guiding them through legal processes, and representing them in disputes.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of consumer rights?

The primary purpose of consumer rights is to protect consumers from exploitation, ensure their safety, provide information about products and services, allow choice, enable redressal for grievances, and ensure representation in disputes.

What was the outcome of consumer movements in India?

Consumer movements led to awareness among people about their rights, the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), and the establishment of consumer forums and councils for addressing grievances.

Explain the 'Right to Safety' with an example from the script.

The Right to Safety ensures protection against hazardous goods and services. For example, in the case of Riji Mathew, a child suffered paralysis due to incorrect anesthesia during surgery. Compensation was awarded by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

What is the 'Right to Information' for consumers?

The Right to Information allows consumers to receive full details about products and services, such as ingredients, price, expiry date, and proper usage. It also includes access to information about government services through the RTI Act, 2005.

How does the 'Right to Choose' protect consumers?

The Right to Choose ensures that consumers are not forced to buy products or services they do not want. For instance, Abhirami was denied a refund by her coaching institute, but her right to choose enabled her to receive compensation through the consumer commission.

What does the 'Right to Seek Redressal' entail?

The Right to Seek Redressal allows consumers to claim compensation or remedy if their rights are violated or if defective products/services are received. For example, Prakash approached the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission when his money order was delayed.

What is the 'Right to Represent' and how can consumers use it?

The Right to Represent allows consumers to present their case in consumer forums themselves or through a legal representative. Prakash represented himself in his dispute about the money transfer to ensure his grievance was addressed.

Describe the three-tier consumer dispute redressal system under COPRA.

The system consists of: 1) District Commission: handles cases up to ₹1 crore, 2) State Commission: handles cases between ₹1 crore and ₹10 crore, 3) National Commission: handles cases above ₹10 crore. Consumers can appeal from District → State → National → Supreme Court if dissatisfied.

What role do consumer protection councils play?

Consumer protection councils guide consumers on how to file complaints, represent them in consumer forums, create awareness about consumer rights, and receive government support to educate the public.

Why is being a well-informed consumer important?

Being well-informed allows consumers to make conscious choices, identify unsafe or unfair products/services, exercise their rights effectively, and avoid exploitation. Awareness campaigns like Jago Grahak Jago and labels like ISI, FSSAI, and Hallmark help in this process.

Give examples of consumer awareness benchmarks mentioned in the script.

Examples include ISI marks for industrial products, FSSAI logos for food items, and Hallmarks for gold and silver, which indicate compliance with safety and quality standards.

How do case studies help in understanding consumer rights?

Case studies like those of Riji, Abhirami, Amrita, and Prakash illustrate real-life scenarios where consumer rights are exercised or violated. They help learners understand the practical application of rights and the importance of legal redressal mechanisms.