Consumer Rights class 10 NCERT MCQ & SAQ

Consumer Rights class 10 NCERT solution

1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.

Rules and regulations are required in the marketplace to protect consumers. Sellers often abdicate responsibility for a low-quality product, cheat in weighing out goods, add extra charges over the retail price, and sell adulterated/ defective goods. Hence, rules and regulations are needed to protect the scattered buyers from powerful and fewer producers who monopolise markets. For example, a grocery shop owner might sell expired products, and then blame the customer for not checking the date of expiry before buying the items.

2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.

The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are manifold. It started as a "social force" with the need to protect and promote consumer interests against unfair and unethical trade practices. Extreme food shortages, hoarding, black marketing and adulteration of food led to the consumer movement becoming an organised arena in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were mostly busy writing articles and holding exhibitions. More recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of consumer groups who have shown concern towards ration shop malpractices and overcrowding of public transport vehicles. In 1986, the Indian government enacted the Consumer Protection Act, also known as COPRA. This was a major step in the consumer movement in India.

3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.

Consumer consciousness is being aware of your right as a consumer while buying any goods or services. Example :

→ It is common to see consumers bargaining with sellers for additional discounts below the MRP.

→ Because of conscious consumers, most of the sweet shops do not include the weight of the container when they weigh sweets.

4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.

Factors which cause exploitation of consumers are :

→ Lack of awareness of consumer rights among buyers.

→ Improper and inadequate monitoring of rules and regulations.

→ Individual purchase quantity is quite small.

→ Consumers are scattered over large areas.

5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?

Answer

The rationale behind the enactment of COPRA 1986 was to set up a separate department of consumer affairs in Central and State governments and it has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in a consumer court.

6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.

Some of my duties as a consumer if I visit a shopping complex include checking expiry dates of the products I wish to purchase, paying only the maximum retail price printed on the goods, preventing shopkeepers from duping me with defective products, and registering a complaint with a consumer forum or court in case a seller refuses to take responsibility for an adulterated or flawed product.

7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?

Answer

We should look for Agmark symbol before buying the food items because this mark is certified by the government and assures the quality of the product.

8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?

Answer

Legal measures taken by the government to empower consumers in India are plenty. First and foremost being the COPRA in 1986. Then, in October 2005, the Right to Information Act was passed, ensuring citizens all information about the functioning of government departments. Also, under COPRA, a consumer can appeal in state and national courts, even if his case has been dismissed at the district level. Thus, consumers even have the right to represent themselves in consumer courts now.

9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.

Answer

Some of the rights of consumers are as follows :

→ Right to choice — Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive that service. Under this right, a consumer may also choose any one of the various brands of a product (say, a refrigerator) available in the market.

→ Right to redressal — Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation.

→ Right to represent — The act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?

Answer

Consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumer groups that write articles or hold exhibitions against traders' exploitation. These groups guide individuals on how to approach a consumer court, and they even fight cases for consumers. Such groups receive financial aid from the government to create public awareness. Participation of one and all will further strengthen consumer solidarity.

11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.

Answer

The consumer movement in India has evolved vastly since it began. There has been a significant change in consumer awareness in the country. Till the enactment of COPRA in 1986, the consumer movement did not bear much force, but ever since its inception, the movement has been empowered substantially. The setting up of consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move. However, in contemporary India, the consumer redressal process is quite complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Filing cases, attending court proceedings, hiring lawyers, and other procedures make it cumbersome. In India, there are over 700 consumer groups of which, unfortunately, only about 20-25 are well-organised and functioning smoothly.

12. Match the following.

(i)	Availing details of ingredients of a product	(a)	Right to safety
(ii)	Agmark	(b)	Dealing with consumer cases
(iii)	Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter	(c)	Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iv)	District Consumer Court	(d)	Agency that develops standards for goods and services
(v)	Consumers International	(e)	Right to information
(vi)	Bureau of Indian Standards	(f)	Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations

Answer

(i)	Availing details of ingredients of a product	(e)	Right to information
(ii)	Agmark	(c)	Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iii)	Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter	(a)	Right to safety
(iv)	District Consumer Court	(b)	Dealing with consumer cases
(v)	Consumers International	(f)	Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations
(vi)	Bureau of Indian Standards	(d)	Agency that develops standards for goods and services

13. Say True or False.

(i) COPRA applies only to goods.

(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.

(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.

(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.

(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellry.

(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.

(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.

Answer

(i) False

(ii) True

(iii) True

(iv) True

(v) True

(vi) False

(vii) True

Consumer Rights class 10 MCQ

Question : A consumer

a) Sells goods and services b) Buy goods and services

c) Produces goods and services d) Delivers goods and services

Answer : B

Question : Adulteration is

a) Selling defective items b) Overpricing

c) Underweight measurement d) Mixing cheap materials

Answer : D

Question : Causes of consumer exploitation

a) Right to Information b) Proper Supply c) Low literacy d) High literacy

Answer : C

Question : Which is not a function of PDS

a) Control Hoarding b) Control Prices

c) Control over charging d) Consumer Redressal

Answer : D

Question : COPRA stands for

a) Consumer Protection Act b) Consumer Prevention Act

c) Consumer Police Act d) Consumer Power Act

Answer : A

Question : Pick the odd one out

a) Right to information b) Right to choice

c) Right to adulteration d) Right to redressal

Answer : C

Question : Pick the odd one out

a) Right to safety b) Right to life

c) Right to consumer education d) Right to representation

Answer : B

Question : National Consumer Day is celebrated in India

a) 24 December b) 25 December c) 26 December d) 27 December

Answer : A

Question : COPRA does not propose formation of

a) National Consumer Court b) State Consumer Court

c) District Consumer Court d) High Court

Answer : D

Question : ISO stands for

a) International Standard Organization

b) International Organization for Standardization

c) International School Organization

d) International Standardization

Answer : B

Question : Consumer Complaint forum is called

a) Consumer forum
b) RTI
c) High court
d) Police Station

Answer : Consumer forum

Question : World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on

a) 15 March
b) 5 March
c) 10 March
d) 20 March

Answer : 15 March

Question : A consumer

a) Buy goods and services
b) Sells goods and services
c) Produces goods and services
d) Delivers goods and services

Answer : Buy goods and services

Question : Pick the odd one out

a) CID
b) BIS and ISI
c) ISO
d) HALLMARK

Answer : CID

. The process in which the quality of a food substance is lowered through the addition of another substance is called:

(a) mixing two substances

(b) adulteration

(d) all the above

► (b) adulteration

2. The organisation which lays down standards of products at the international level is called:

(a) ISI

(b) ISRO

(d) WCF

► (c) ISO

3. The agencies which look into the complaints of the consumers are popularly called:

(a) consumer courts

(b) consumer commissions

(d) consumers cells

► (a) consumer courts

4. Name the court to which a consumer can approach, having a claim of Rs. 40 lakhs

(a) National Consumer Court

(b) State Consumer Court

(d) None of the above

► (b) State Consumer Court

5. The organisation which helps guide the consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts are popularly called:

(a) consumer cells

(b) consumer associations

(d) consumer societies

► (c) consumer forums

6. Which mark should you look for while buying honey?

(a) ISI

(b) ISO

(d) ISO

► (c) Agmark

7. When was ISO certification established?

(a) 1952

(b) 1947

(d) 1982

► (b) 1947

8. To protect themselves what do consumers need?

(a) Consumer Forums

(b) Consumer Protection Councils

(d) Consumer awareness

► (d) Consumer awareness

9. Name the right under which a consumer can claim compensation for the damage caused by any product.

(a) Right to Safety

(b) Right to Seek Redressal

(d) None of these

► (b) Right to Seek Redressal

10. Factors which cause the exploitation of the consumer:

(a) Limited and wrong information

(b) Illiteracy and ignorance of the consumer

(d) All the above

► (d) All the above

11. The Act which was enacted to protect the consumers:

(a) Consumer Redressal Act

(b) Right to Information Act

(d) Right to Represent Act

► (c) Consumer Protection Act

12. Which logo or mark you will have to look for on a biscuit packet?

(a) Agmark

(b) ISI mark

(d) ISO mark

► (a) Agmark

13. Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was enacted by Indian Government in:

(a) 1986

(b) 1983

(d) 1985

► (a) 1986

14. Consumers International was created by:

(a) UNESCO

(b) UN

(d) World Bank

► (b) UN

15. Name the Act under which consumer courts have been established:

(a) National Consumer Commission Act

(b) State Consumer Commission

(d) None of these

► (c) Consumer Protection Act

15. MRP on a product represents:

(a) minimum retail price

(b) maximum retail price

(d) none of the above

► (b) maximum retail price

16. Who can seek information under the RTI Act, 2005?

(a) A group of persons

(b) An individual citizen

(d) An association / society

► (b) An individual citizen

17. Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was enacted by Indian Government in:

(a) 1986

(b) 1983

(d) 1985

► (a) 1986

18. District level consumer courts can settle claims upto:

(a) Rs 20 lakh

(b) Rs 1 crore

(d) Rs 80 lakh

► (a) Rs 20 lakh

19. Who can seek information under the RTI Act, 2005?

(a) A group of persons

(b) An individual citizen

(d) An association / society

► (b) An individual citizen

20. Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted by the Government of India in:

(a) October 2005

(b) December 2005

(d) None of the above

► (a) October 2005

21. Consumer Protection Act, 1986 covers the whole of India except:

(a) the state of Jammu and Kashmir

(b) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

(d) None of the above

► (a) the state of Jammu and Kashmir

22. Which of the following is covered under public services?

(a) Postal services

(b) Mobile repair services

(d) None of the above

► (a) Postal services

23. Marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property is covered under:

(a) right to be protected

(b) right to be assured

(d) right to be informed

► (a) right to be protected

24. When was the ‘Right to Information Act’ passed?

(a) In January 2002

(b) In March 2004

(d) In July 2007

► (c) In October 2005

25. Who amongst the following is protected through rules and regulations in the market place?

(a) The shopkeepers

(b) The manufactures

(d) The suppliers

► (c) The consumers

26. In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law known as:

(a) Right to Choose Act

(b) Right to Information Act

(d) Anti-corruption Act

► (b) Right to Information Act

27. Which of the following laws was enacted by the Government of India in the year 2005?

(a) The Right to Information Act

(b) The Consumer Protection Act

(d) The Right to Property Act

► (a) The Right to Information Act

28. On which of the following date does we celebrate the National Consumers’ Day?

(a) 24 October

(b) 14 October

(d) 14 December

► (c) 24 December

29. Which one of the following is not true regarding the Right to Safety?

(a) Right to be protected against unsafe appliances.

(b) Right to protected against unsafe working conditions.

(d) Right to be protected against services which are hazardous to life.

► (c) Right to seek information about functioning of government departments.

30. Which one of the following is not a function of Consumer Protection Councils?

(a) They guide consumers how to file cases

(b) On many occasions they represent individual consumers in the consumers court

(d) They help the consumer financially

► (d) They help the consumer financially

31. In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law known as:

(a) Right to Choose Act

(b) Right to Information Act

(d) Anti-corruption Act

► (b) Right to Information Act

32. A chemist sold you a medicine of expiry date under which consumer right you can approach the consumer court ?

(a) Right of Safety

(b) Right to Seek Redressal

(d) Right to Equality

► (a) Right of Safety

33. Which of the following is not a right of consumers?

(a) Right to safety

(b) Right to be informed

(d) Right to constitutional remedies

► (d) Right to constitutional remedies

34. India celebrates 24th December as:

(a) National Consumers Day

(b) National Producers Day

(d) National Grievance Day

► (a) National Consumers Day

35. Suppose you want to buy toothpaste and the shop owner says that he/she can sell the toothpaste only if you buy a toothbrush, which of your right is being violated by the shopkeeper?

(a) Right to safety

(b) Right to be informed

(d) Right to represent

► (c) Right to choose

Consumer Rights class 10 SAQ

Q.1. Explain any three ways by which people can be exploited in the market. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Consumers can be exploited in the market in the following ways :

(a) Substandard quality : Selling of medicines beyond their expiry date, supply of defective home appliances etc. are the activities by traders in which they sell substandard quality goods.

(b) Higher prices : Traders sometimes charge a price higher than the maximum retail price (MRP).

Q.2. What are the rights given under COPRA for the redressal of grievances ? Explain. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. The rights given under COPRA for the redressal of grievances are as follows :

(i) Right to safety : This is the right to be protected against the marketing of goods which are hazardous to health and life.

(ii) Right to be informed : Consumers have the right to get all information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable the consumers not to fall prey to the sellers tactics.

(iii) Right to choose : Consumers the right to choose from amongst a variety of goods and services available in the market at competitive prices.

(iv) Right to be heard : Every consumer’s complaints or grievances regarding any product or services will be considered.

(v) Right to seek redressal : When consumers are cheated or exploited, they have a right to get claims settled against the manufacturer.

(vi) Right to consumer education : A consumer can protect himself against various malpractices when he knows his rights and the remedies available to him.

Q.3. How is a consumer benefited by the right to be informed? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Consumer can ask about the facts, information about quality, date of manufacture, price, precautions etc. about a product he is willing to buy. After getting the complete information, a consumer has a complete freedom to deny or accept the product.

Q.4. Briefly explain the three-tier quasi-judicial machinery set up under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. The government enacted a specific law called the Consumer Protection Act, 1985. Most important feature of the Act is the provision for setting up a three-tier system as follows :

(i) National Consumer Commission

(ii) State Consumer Commission

(iii) District Forum

These courts look into the grievances and complaints of the consumers against the traders and manufacturers and provide the necessary relief and compensation to the consumers.

Q.5. Highlight any three problems which a consumer may face in the process of redressal? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. The problems which a consumer may face in the process of redressal are :

(a) It may be time-consuming.

(b) It may be expensive as a consumer has to engage the lawyers.

Q.6. Describe any three features of Consumer Forum? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Features of Consumer Forum are as follows :

(i) They guide the consumers on filing the cases in consumer courts.

(ii) In many cases, they represent the individual consumer at the consumer courts.

(iii) They create awareness among the people.

Q.7. Explain any three factors that led to the growth of consumer movements in India? Give any three factors. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Factors that led to the growth of consumer movements in India are :

(i) Exploitation of consumers by the traders or shopkeepers.

(ii) To avoid black marketing, adulteration of food etc. by traders.

(iii) To check the malpractices at ration shops and even at road passenger transport.

Q.8. Highlight any three duties of the consumers. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Duties of the consumers are as follows :

(i) Consumer should purchase quality marked products such as ISI, Agmark etc. and take the warranty card, if possible.

(ii) Consumer should ask for a cash memo for items purchased.

(iii) Consumers should make complaints for genuine grievances.

Q.9. Explain consumer’s right to seek redressal. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. This is the right to get relief against unfair trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation. When consumers are cheated or exploited, they have a right to get claims settled against the manufacturer. A number of consumer courts and agencies have been set up for this purpose.

Q.10. What legal measures have been taken by the government to empower the consumers in India? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. The government enacted a specific law called the Consumer Protection Act, 1985. Most important feature of the Act is the provision for setting up a three-tier system as follows :

(i) National Consumer Commission

(ii) State Consumer Commission

(iii) District Forum

These courts look into the grievances and complaints of the consumers against the traders and manufacturers and provide the necessary relief and compensation to the consumers.

Q.11. Why are rules and regulations required for the ‘protection of consumers’ interest’ in the marketplace? Explain any two reasons. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Rules and regulations required for the ‘protection of consumers’ interest’ in the marketplace because :

(a) Individual consumers when exploited at the market, find themselves in a weak position. Sellers take no responsibility of the products they have sold.

(b) Unfair trade practices like black marketing, adulteration etc. need to be checked.

Q.12. How do duplicate articles and adulteration cause heavy loss to the consumers? Give two example. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Duplicate articles and adulteration cause heavy loss to the consumers in the following ways :

(i) Duplicate articles such as duplicate medicines may cause life risks for the consumers.

(ii) Duplicate articles and adulterated goods cause financial loss to the consumers and leave them unsatisfied.

Q.13. Explain the consumer’s ‘Right to Choose’ with suitable example. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Right to choose : The consumer has a right to choose from amongst a variety of goods and services available in the market at competitive prices. For example : A gas supply dealer cannot force or insist any consumer to buy a gas stove if they do not require it at the time of taking a new connection.

Q.14. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 ? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Consumer exploitation has given rise to consumer organisations which started writing articles, publicity through media and holding exhibitions at various areas to make the consumer aware. Consumer groups were formed to look into the malpractices at the ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport. Government started taking initiatives to correct, faulty business practices which are against the consumers. A major step taken by the government in 1986 was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Q.15. What are Consumer Forums ? What is their importance ? [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. Consumer Forums are the organisations formed to guide consumer rights. They are also called as Consumer Protection Councils.

Importance of these organisations are as follows :

(i) They guide a consumer in filing the cases at the consumer courts.

(ii) They can also represent individual consumer at the consumer courts, if required.

(iii) They create awareness among people regarding consumer rights. For this, they also receive financial support from the government.

Q.16. Explain any three strategies adopted by the government to protect the interest of the consumers. [2011 (T-2)]

Ans. The strategies or measures adopted by the government to protect the interest of the consumers are as follows :

(i) Legislative measures : Formation of national, state and district level courts to look into the grievances and complains of the consumers.

(ii) Administrative measures : Formation of Public Distribution Systems (PDS). They ensure food security to the poor and prevent hoarding, black marketing and overcharging by traders.

(iii) Technical measures : Various quality standards have been settled to ensure the quality of products. BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is for industrial and consumer goods, Agmark for agricultural products and ISO (International Standard Organisation) checks the goods, at international level.

Q.17. “There is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection of consumers.” Give two arguments in support of the statement. [2008]

Ans.

(i) There is a need for rules and regulations to protect the consumers from unfair trade practices. For example – A shopkeeper weighs less than the actual quantity and charges more.

(ii) In order to make high profit, some manufacturers of oil, ghee, butter, khoya etc. stoop to adulteration. Such things prove very injurious to the health of the customers. Hence, rules and regulations protect the consumers from such unethical trade practices.

Q.18. Analyse the functions of Consumer Protection Councils. [2008]

Ans. Consumer Protection Councils help the consumers against any harassment or cheating from any business or economic agency. If any businessman resorting to unfair means he shall be taken to task by councils set up at the district, state and national level. Consumers’ complaints are heard by them and with their cooperation, the councils try to get the culprits duly punished and the grievances of the consumers redressed. The councils educate the consumers to be aware of their rights and how to protect them. (The rights, for example, of information, right to choose, right to be heard, right to be protected against goods hazardous to life and property etc.) The councils see to it that the customers are compensated for the loss they incurred in buying defective goods or getting poor services. For example, a bank was fined for sloppy services, a hospital had to pay compensation to a patient for medical negligence etc.

Q.19. Why is it very difficult to make changes to the power sharing arrangement between the Union government and State governments? Explain with an example. [2008]

Ans. In this arrangement, the Constitution clearly lays down the division of powers between the Union and States. So for any changes, it has to go through the amendment procedures which is difficult. Here, the Centre has a general authority, but the regional or state governments are given autonomy. So interference in each other’s jurisdiction for any change is difficult. For example, in India where there is federal division of powers, if it is required to bring any changes in the state boundary, the concerned state has to be consulted and 2/3 special majority amendment procedure is to be followed.

Consumer Rights class 10 LONG QUESTION:

Q.1. Explain the factors which gave birth to the consumer movement in India.

Ans.

(i) Unfair trade practices : Some traders and shopkeepers indulge in unethical or unfair trade practices. They cheat the customers by giving them articles of substandard quality. Duplicate items are also available in the market but they look so genuine that even wise and clever customers fail to differentiate them.

Similarly, underweighing tactics are very common among shopkeepers. They give less quantity but charge more than the actual.

(ii) Adulteration and impurity : It is also a common practice where manufacturers of ghee, oil, butter etc. resort to adulteration. These activities increase their profit margin causing loss to the customers. Sometimes it proves very injurious to the health of the customers.

(iii) Artificial scarcity : Shortage of essential items in the market is the result of hoarding. In order to get more profit certain unscrupulous traders resort to hoarding of these goods thereby creating artificial scarcity. After sometime they sell these products at higher prices.

(iv) False or incomplete information : At times false information is passed on through the media and through other methods to attract consumers. This activity causes monetary loss as well as inconvenience to the consumers.

Q.2. Who is a consumer? Explain five duties of a consumer. [2004]

Ans. Any person who buys anything in the market and uses it, is called consumer.

Duties of consumer :

(i) It is the responsibility of the consumer to be more alert and questioning about the price and quality of goods and services that he/she uses.

(ii) To assert and act to ensure that he/she gets a fair deal.

(iii) To organise together as consumers to develop the strength and influence to promote and protect their interests.

(iv) To purchase quality marked products such as ISI, AGMARK etc.

(v) To ask for cash memo for the items purchased whenever possible.

Why are rules and regulations required for the protection of consumers in the marketplace? Justify the statement with arguments. (2016 OD, 2013 D, 2011 OD)

Answer:

Rules and regulations are required in the market place for the following reasons:

Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position, whenever there is a complaint regarding a good or service that had been bought. The seller tries to shift all the responsibility on to the buyer as if the seller has no responsibility once a sale is completed.

To check exploitation in the marketplace that happens in various ways. For example, unfair trade practices such as when shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add charges that were not mentioned before or when adulterated goods are sold.

Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered. Large companies sometimes manipulate the market in various ways.
For example, at times false information is passed on through media to attract consumers.

False and incomplete information. Sellers easily mislead consumers by giving wrong information about a product, its price, quality, reliability, lifecycle, expiry date, durability, its effect on health, environment, safety and security, maintenance cost involved and terms and conditions of purchase. Cosmetics, drugs and electronic goods are common examples where consumers face such problems. For example, At times false information is passed on through media to attract consumers.
Hence there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection of the consumers.

But poverty remains in the country. What could be the reason for such a situation?

Right to Equality

The situation of poverty remains unchanged despite government’s initiatives because every citizen does not participate directly in competitive politics and the problems and need of the public, especially the poor are not duly represented. People may not have the desire, the need or the skill to take part in direct political activity other than voting. Sometimes people act together without forming any organization, which indirectly helps people to reach the government to listen to their demand or point of view.

Explain the ‘Right to seek redressal’ with an example. (2013 OD)

Or

Explain with an example how you can use the right to seek redressal. (2015 OD)

Answer:

Right to seek redressal:

The consumers can seek redressal against trade practices of exploitation and have the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances.
He has a right to get compensation from a manufacturer/trader if he is harmed. The consumer can seek redressal through Consumer Courts functioning at district, state and national levels.
Example: Mahesh sent a money order to his village for his mother’s medical treatment. The money did not reach his mother at the time when she needed it and reached months later. Mahesh, thus filed a case in the district level consumer court to seek redressal.

How have markets been transformed in recent years? Explain with examples. (2014 OD)

Answer:

The initial aspect of unequal situations in a market and poor enforcement of rules and regulations have now seen a transformation in the market in recent years.

The transformation of markets in recent years has come because of legal institutions helping consumers in getting compensated and upholding their rights as consumers.
The awareness of being a well-informed consumer which arose out of consumer movement has also shifted the responsibility of ensuring quality of goods and services on the sellers.
The producers in the market need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations. The manufacturer in the market is now required to display information about the ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer.

For example, pressure cookers have safety valves and manufacturers have to ensure its high quality. While buying medicines the ‘directions for use’ and information relating to side effects and risk associated with its usage are to be mentioned on the packets.

How did consumer movement originate as a ‘social force’ in India? (2014 OD)

Or

“The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers”. Justify the statement with arguments. (2016 OD)

Answer:

The consumer movement as a ‘social force’ originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices of the producers and sellers.

Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organized form in the 1960s.
In the early phase, consumer organizations were mainly engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed groups to look into malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in road passenger transport.
Because of all these efforts, the movement succeeded in putting pressure on business firms and the government to change their unfair ways.
As a result of all this, a major step was taken by the Indian Government in 1986. It enacted the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which popularly came to be known as COPRA.

Analyse with a suitable example the meaning of right to choose provided under the Consumer Protection Act. CBSE Sample Question Paper (2009)

Answer:

Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive the service. The right to choose in the simplest sense is the consumer’s right:

To buy any brand of a good (soap, cooking oil etc.) and not be forced to buy only what a monopolist produces.
The right to choose is even more extensive than this, even after the consumer has bought a good and then finds out that it is not of the quality claimed for it, he/she has the right to return the good and choose another brand.
In a modern economy the right to choose has been further extended into all kinds of services including education. If your child is admitted to a school and you find that the school is not giving your child the kind of education it had promised, you should have the right to withdraw your child and seek admission in another school without losing the money you had spent as admission fee, annual fee etc. all over again.

Analyse the importance of the three-tier judicial machinery under Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), 1986 for redressal of consumer disputes. (2017 OD)

Answer:

In 1986 the government of India took a major step in the interest of consumers, which resulted in the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act popularly known as COPRA. The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate departments of consumer affairs in central as well as state governments. The COPRA also spells out the rights and duties of a consumer, as well as the rules and regulations, which a producer should follow. It provides a separate three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the national, state and district levels to deal with consumer grievances and disputes:

Under the COPRA, three- tier quasi- judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakhs.
The state level courts deals with cases between ₹ 20 lakhs and ₹ one crore.
National level court deals with cases involving claims exceeding one crore.

If the case is dismissed in the district level court the consumer can appeal to the state and then the national level courts.

Consumers have the right to be informed about goods and services they purchase. Explain its three advantages. (2011 D)

It is mandatory for the manufacturer to display certain details on the packing because consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services they purchase. These details are about ingredients used, price, quantity, quality, potency, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer.

The advantages of this rule are:

Consumers can use this information to complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner. For example, if we buy a product and find it defective well within the expiry period, we can ask for a replacement. If the expiry period was not printed, the manufacturer would blame the shopkeeper and will not accept the responsibility.
One can protest and complain if someone sells a good at more than the printed price on the packet. This is indicated by ‘MRP’ — maximum retail price. In fact if the MRP is missing from the packing, a consumer can bargain with the seller to sell at less than the MRP.
In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law known as RTI (Right to Information) Act, which ensures its citizens all the information about the functions of government departments. The RTI Act gives consumers the power to Question the government about the functions and various services provided by the government.

How do the large companies often manipulate the markets? Explain with an example. (2011 D)

Answer:

The big companies eliminate their competitors by lowering down the price of products thereby establishing their monopolies in the market giving less choice to people.

The large companies with huge wealth, power and reach often manipulate the market in various ways. Some common ways by which consumers are exploited in the market are :

Goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighed correctly.
The goods sold are sometimes of sub-standard quality, For example, selling medicines beyond their date of expiry.
In costly edible items such as oil, ghee etc. adulteration is common.
At times false information is passed on through the media and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming it to be better than mother’s milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims.
Similarly, a long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer.

class 9 to 12 ,ncert mcq for upsc,ncert solution,

Search This Blog

index A