Class X
Economics
Chapter - 6
Consumer Rights
Assignment
Q.1. Why are rules and regulations
required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer. 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.
Q.2. What factors gave birth to the
consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Answer. 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 organized arena in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, consumer
organizations 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.
Q.3. Explain
the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer. 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.
Q.4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer. 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.
Q.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.
Q.
6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping
complex in your locality.
Answer. 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.
Q.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.
Q.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.
Q.9. 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.
Q.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-organized and functioning smoothly
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