consumer Rights

Right to safety:
It refers to the right of a consumer to be protected against hazardous effects of all possible consumption patterns and to all goods and services which may affect life and property.
Right to choose:
The right to choose means the right to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
Right to information:
The right to information not only means disclosure regarding weight or price or the MRP of the product, i.e. the physical properties of the product and service but also the legal implications of the transactions.
Right to be consumer education:
Consumer education empowers consumers to exercise their consumer rights. It is perhaps the single most powerful tool that can take consumers from their present disadvantageous position, to strength them in the marketplace.
Right to a safe and healthy environment:
Since the beginning of civilization man has been disturbing the ideal balance of nature. Using natural resources is not harmful because nature has its own cleaning mechanism. But rapid industrialization, deforestation, etc. the environment is deteriorating fast. The need for environmental conservation is seen as a necessary defence against deteriorating quality of life world -wide. Consumers need to understand that only a safe environment can ensure the fulfilment of their rights.
	Right to basic needs:
	The right to basic needs is an important right which has been conferred by UN on developing countries for consumers to lead a normal life.
	Right to be heard:
	The right to be heard means that consumers should be allowed to voice their opinions and grievance at appropriate forums.
	The right to seek redressal:
	A consumer has the right to seek redressal for any goods, deficiency in services and loss due to unfair trade practices.  Everyday the manufactures are finding new ways of cheating and duping the consumer.

As the markets are globalizing, the direct link between the manufacturer and the final user getting distant, post purchase grievances have to be heard through a strong redressal system. For this,Consumer disputes redressal agencies (popularly known as Consumer Forums or Consumer Courts) are set up under the Act at District, State and National level to provide simple and inexpensive quick redressal against consumer complaints. The District forum deals with complaints where the compensation sought is less than 23 lakhs. This limit is commonly known as the ‘pecuniary jurisdiction’ of the Consumer Redressal Forum. The State Forum deals with the complaints where the value of the goods and services and compensation claimed does not exceed rupees one crore and the National Forum entertains the complaints where the value of the goods or services and compensation claimed exceeds rupees one crore.

 The Consumer Forum can order the company to take the following actions once it hears the complaint and decides that the company is at fault:

	Correct deficiencies in the product to what they claim.
	Repair defect free of charges
	Replace product with similar or superior product
	Issue a full refund of the price
	Pay compensation for damages / costs / inconveniences
	Withdraw the sale of the product altogether
	Discontinue or not repeat any unfair trade practice or the restrictive trade practice
	Issue corrective advertisement for any earlier misrepresentation

 
Consumer Protection Act

“An Act to provide for better protection of the interests of consumers and for that purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumers' disputes and for matters connected therewith.”(According to Consumer Protection Act,1986). Consumer Protection Act ,1986 seeks to promote and protect the interest of consumers against deficiencies and defects in goods or services. It also seeks to secure the rights of a consumer against		Consumer Protection Act View(PDF 40 KB ) Source from : www.India.gov.in
unfair or restrictive trade practices. This act was passed in Lok Sabha on 9th December,1986 and Rajya Sabha on 10th December, 1986 and assented by the President of India on 24th December, 1986 and was published in the Gazette of India on 26th December, 1986.