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Jago Grahak Jago!!! 12 Consumer Rights That Protect Against Unfair Trade Practices

Jago Grahak Jago!!! 12 Consumer Rights That Protect Against Unfair Trade Practices

We might differ in gender, race, religion, or defined by the land boundaries, but we all are the same in one aspect. We all are consumers and being an important part of the market we should know our rights so that no unscrupulous supplier can cheat us. World Consumer Rights Day has marked the importance of these rights and is a global event celebrated on the same day when US President John F Kennedy first talked about the rights of every consumer in a conference in 1962.

basic consumer rights

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India has observed the importance too and prepared bills, established several councils, courts, and made few basic rights legal in Consumer Protection Act 1986. In 2019, the act was replaced by a new consumer bill and passed by both the Houses of Parliament.

The new bill has expanded the scope of protection and introduced a new definition of ‘consumer, goods, and services’ enhancing customer’s rights. Here is everything that one should know about those safeguards.

Also Read: This International Women’s Day, Know Your Legal Rights Under Indian Constitution

Be A Smart Buyer, Know Your Basic Rights As Consumer

world consumer rights day

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  • The first right gives consumers protection against hazardous goods, in other words, we have the right to ask about the product’s quality and guarantee.
  • The second right also allows you to get detailed information about any product so that you can make a wise buying decision. The information includes manufacturing details, use of ingredients, safety and maintenance precautions, technical specifications, and more.
  • Third consumer right i.e Right to Choose allows freedom of buying products and services which they find suitable and restrict seller to force their products on buyers.
  • In case of any dispute between consumer and seller, the customer has the right to file the complaints in appropriate consumer forums and their issues will be heard duly by the respective authority.
  • The consumer can also seek compensation or redressal in case of faulty trade practices.
  • Apart from these, consumers also have the right to seek a safe and healthy environment for better living. This includes the protection against environmental pollution as well. And today’s theme “Tackle Plastic Pollution” is all about the safety against the ill effects of plastic waste that not only affects us but is also a great threat to the environment.
  • Consumer education is also an important right that states every customer has the right to know their responsibilities, policies, and laws that are made in their interests. For this, GOI has launched several programs such as “Jago Grahak Jago” to keep the citizens aware and educate about these rights.

Also Read: Zero Discrimination Day: Is Discrimination An Emerging Obstacle For India?

Besides these basic rights, consumers can now also exercise these rights:

world consumer rights day (1)

via: comreg

  • One can file a complaint directly to the State Consumer Commission irrespective of the place of purchase via online mode.
  • Another right brings e-commerce retailers under the radar and states that a customer can file a complaint against a defective product for which the manufacturer or seller is liable to pay compensation if the product is found defective from their end.
  • If the respective commission does not express the admission or rejection of complaint within 21 days then it is deemed to be admitted.
  • In case the complainant cannot physically present to provide evidence regarding their complaint then there is a provision for hearing via video conferencing.
  • In addition to these, violation of these rights based on class is strictly prohibited and if someone tries to do so then the customer can directly forward the complaint to the district collector whether in written format or email.
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