Rights of Consumers in India
These are the four important rights provided to the consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. All Indian consumers must be aware of these.
1. Right to Be Heard
As per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, consumer rights include the right to be heard and assurance that the consumer’s interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. Consumers have a right to raise their voice against products, organisations in case of any unfair trade practice or violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. As per the Act, there are various district consumer forums to hear the complaints filed by consumers.
2. Right to Grievance Redressal
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has empowered consumers to seek redressal against unfair trade practices, restrictive trade practices, or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. To redress the grievances of consumers, consumers courts like the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) and National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) are set up as per the Act. Consumers are required to file genuine complaints in these forums.
3. Right to Be Informed
A consumer must know about the products, their quality, quantity, ingredients, price, expiry, etc., to ensure protection against unfair trade practices. The consumer has a right to gather the information required to choose a product and make a decision.
4. Right to Safety
As per the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, the goods which are hazardous to life and safety when used are being offered for sale to the public contravening the standards relating to safety; then, a complaint can be filed. Also, where the traders know that the goods or services offered to the public are unsafe & hazardous to life, in that case, a complaint can be filed.
Under the Act, the consumer is provided with the right to safety while using or consuming goods or services. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 was also implemented to regulate and maintain food standards, its manufacturing, storage, sale and import. The Government of India has also incorporated a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to ensure that our right to safety is protected.
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