Consumer Education.pptx

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1. Consumer Education And Protection Chapter - 33

2. Concepts we will learn Consumer, consumer rights, exploitation and consumer awareness. The major objective of the consumer protection and its importance. To follow certain precautionary measures while buying goods and services. The significance of the Consumer Education and information with regard to the methods of filing cases with the consumer court.

3. The User and the Provider The Service Organizations have used the term “ user ” to those who use the ‘goods and services’. The person who supplies goods or services is called “ provide ”. The Government in its ‘ Consumer Protection Act ’ used the word “ Consumer ” in place of user.

4. Consumer movements It is the duty of the traders and producers to provide quality goods and services for the price paid by the consumer. It is the right of every consumer to get quality goods and services. But the producers cheat in many ways. To stop this hindrance, some social organisations started some movements. The history of consumer movement began in U.S.

5. The Indian Planning Commission backed the idea of foundation of ‘ Indian Association of Consumers ’ in 1956 , for various reasons it was not effective. The beginning of the movement was started in India in 1965 . During that year, some women of Mumbai started a movement called ‘ AWARE ’ (The Association of Women Against Rising Expenses). This movement gave rise to start some movements at the National level in some parts of the country. The important associations are the ‘ Federation of Consumer Organisation ’ , ‘ The National Consumer Protecti on Council ’ etc.

6. The Reasons for Consumer Exploitation In the past, the Producers were supplying goods directly to the consumers, without any hindrance of middlemen. As the occupations developed, it changed the marketing methods. The ‘ Price Fixation ’ of the goods and services was mainly done by the middlemen. It led to many hindrances. Consumers had to face various difficulties and problems. They incurred many losses. Later, the development of ‘ Information Technology ’ has led to ‘ Teleshopping ’ and consumer can directly buy goods from the traders .

7. Teleshopping The consumers instead of going to traders can place order for the goods which are advertised over Television and other media. Through Internet, SMS or Telephone consumers can place the order for the goods selected. Payment can be made after receiving the goods at door. This transaction is called Teleshopping .

8. Consumer Consumer is a person who buys goods or avails services for a consideration called Price or Wages . Every consumer has certain wants, so he buys goods to satisfy his wants. It is the duty of every producer to satisfy the needs of the consumers. In India, the consumer is regarded as the king & occupies a prime place as ours is a free enterprise economy . But unfortunately, many a times consumers are neglected, exploited and cheated. They suffer heavily.

9. World consumers’ day In the history of World Consumers’ Movement , March 15 , 1962 is an important day. On that day, the president John F. Kennedy gave the American consumers 4 basic rights: Right to safety , Right to choose , Right to information , Right to be heard . Thus, March 15 of every year is celebrated as the World Consu mers’ Day

10. Consumer protection It refers to protection to consumers against exploitation by the producers and traders. There is a great need for consumer protection. To safeguard the in terests of consumers, consumer rights are assured.

11. Consumer protection act The Consumer Movements were started by the people who suffered on account of regular exploitation by traders. Such movements brought pressure on the government and alerted it to formulate new Acts to safeguard the interests of the consumers. In the last five decades, more than 30 Acts have been implemented. E.g. Essential Commodities Act, Weights and Measures Act, Act against Adulteration of Food Articles etc. The Consumer protection Act 1986 is a significant step in this direction.

12. Major objectives of the act The Act accords importance for safety and quality . Avoiding production and sale of dangerous goods. Prevention of Trade Malpractices in the market. Supervision on Quality, Weights, Measures and Price. Compensating the Consumers in case of any problem arising as a result of trade. Creating awareness to the consumers through Consumer Education. In total, the major objective of the Act is to ensure quality goods and services at reasonable prices through healthy competition.

13. The Consumer Protection Act extends to the whole of India. It applies to all goods and services. The Act promotes the rights of consumers such as: • The Right to Protect against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to life and property of the consumers. • The Right to Information - information about the quality, quantity, purity, standard etc , to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. • Right to Choice : Wherever possible access to variety of goods at competitive prices. • Right to stop exploitation .

14. Right to be Heard : The interests of the consumers to be heard with due consideration. Right to seek Redressal against the unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation. Right to Consumer Education : The Consumers are to be educated about their rights. Right to healthy environment that is good physical environment to enhance the quality of their life.

15. Consumer disputes redressal Agencies: The Consumer Protection Act provides for the establishment of Central Protection Council at National Level, State Consumer Protection Council at State Level and District Consumer Protection Council at district level. These councils are formed in accordance with the jurisdiction and the Minister in charge of Consumer Affairs at Central Government is the Chairman at the National Council. The Minister is In charge of Consumer Affairs at the State Level . The District Commissioner/Collector is the chairman at the district level .

16. The Consumer Protection Act provides for the establishment of consumer disputes redressal agencies such as: 1. District Forum. 2. State Commission. 3. National Commission.

17. 1) District Forum: There shall be a forum in each district. A qualified district judge nominated by the state government presides over the deliberations. It entertains the complaints where the value of goods and services is less than Rs. 20 lakhs . There shall be two members of whom one shall be a woman .

18. 2) The State Commission: A person who is or has been a High Court Judge is its president . There shall be two other eminent members, who have adequate knowledge relating to consumer affairs. It entertains complaints of claim value exceeding Rs. 20 lakhs but not more than one crore. Of the two members one shall be a woman .

19. 3) The National Commission: It is headed by a Judge of Supreme Court to be appointed by the Central Government as President . There shall be four other members of eminence, integrity and standing. National Commission shall dispose of any complaints where the claim shall exceed Rs. one crore in value. Of them one shall be a woman .

20. The methods to be followed to file a case in a consumer court There is no prescribed proforma to file a case. The complaint may be a typed one or hand written. The complaint should include the name of the person (complainant), Full address and Telephone Number. The person or organisation against whom the complaint is made should be, mentioned clearly with address.

21. The particulars of the goods by which the loss has incurred and the amont of loss should be specified clearly. The bill or receipt should be enclosed. There is no fees or stamp duty for the complaint No advocate or lawyer is required. The consumer himself/herself can argue