National Consumer Day 2024 full information / Consumer Rights Protection Act 1986 full Information

National Consumer Day 2024 full information / Complete information about Consumer Rights Protection Act 1986

National Consumer Day 2024

In 1986, the President approved the Consumer Rights Protection Act, since then the Consumer Protection Act came into force and December 24 is celebrated as National Consumer Day.

While saying that the consumer is king, he is attracted to the consumption of goods and goods by showing him many temptations. He is drawn into the net. Often the consumer falls prey to such temptations. One for one free or coupon on purchase, lottery, silver coin on purchase of gold, get a two-wheeler on purchase of flat... Such advertisements are made. The consumer forgets them. He is cheated. The purpose of celebrating Consumer Day is to inform the consumer about consumer law so that the consumer does not get cheated and does not get lazy while getting services. In 1960, the issue of consumer movement came up in the presidential election in America. After becoming president, John F. Kennedy created a platform on consumer issues. It was followed up globally. It was recognized by UNESCO. Then every year on March 15, the 'World Consumer Day' is celebrated. In our country, in 1986, the President approved the 'Consumer Rights Protection Act'. Since then, National Consumer Day is celebrated on December 24.

This act gives six types of rights to the consumer

1) Right to safety: When a consumer buys an item, the manufacturer must guarantee the safety of that item. Like a fridge, TV, washing machine, motorbike, car, flat, any item.

2) Right to information: It is mandatory for the seller to provide information about the quality of the purchased item to the customer.

3) Right to choose: The seller cannot insist on the same type of product or brand. The right to choose is up to the customer.

4) Right to express one's opinion: If a consumer is cheated, he has the right to express his opinion for fair justice.

5) Right to complain: If cheated, he has the right to go to the consumer forum, state consumer council.

6) Right to consumer education - To make consumers understand their rights and duties, NGOs and the government organize activities like 'Jago Grahak Jago..'

Where should consumers file a complaint?

The amended Consumer Protection Bill came into force on 20 July 2019. Now there is a district commission and a state commission. Claims up to Rs 1 crore in the district, up to Rs 10 crore in the state and above will be with the central commission. The new law includes online and teleshopping companies. There is a provision of imprisonment and fine if food and beverages are adulterated. A complaint can be filed anywhere. The commission has the power to penalize those who give misleading advertisements and those who broadcast them. There is a provision of two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 lakh. If a consumer is cheated, he gets justice, but there are some duties along with the rights.

Consumers should follow the following things -

- There are many manufacturers in the market. There will be competition in it. Consumers should not fall prey to deceptive advertising.

- Often there are sales on online purchases, discount sales during festivals too. At such times, there may be unsold or defective goods. So, it is a duty to be careful.

- While buying, insist on the bill. If it is not given, complain to the seller. If the goods are defective, you cannot file a complaint without a bill.

- Do not pay more than the MRP. Check it while buying.

- If the expiry date of the goods has passed, reject the goods. Such goods can be harmful.

- When filling petrol, the meter should show zero. If there is any doubt about the purity, file a complaint with the supply inspector or tehsildar.

- Pay attention to the hallmark while buying gold.

- Take due care when ordering food online. File a complaint if the goods are defective.

There are District Consumer Commissions at the district level and State Consumer Commissions at the state level. Complaints can be filed there free of cost. There is a National Consumer Commission at the center. There is a Consumer Welfare Advisory Committee in remote areas of the state. Apart from this, there are ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ and ‘Consumer Clubs’. At the village level, there are consumer service organizations, consumer panchayats, and migrant unions for consumers. They work to ensure that consumers are not treated unfairly. In each district, there is a District Consumer Grievance Redressal Committee under the chairmanship of the District Collector. Members from various departments are selected in this committee. There are government and non-government members. Now there is a consumer protection department in the government. There is a separate minister for that. Although there is a system to provide justice to the consumer in urban and rural areas, it takes a long time. In many places, there is no chairman in the district consumer forum. Their appointments are not made quickly, and sometimes there are no members of the forum. The purpose of getting justice is not achieved within ninety days. To curb the increasing fraud of consumers, the central government has launched the ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign. Consumers can file complaints about various types of accounts such as banks, public distribution, electricity, construction, food and medicines, tourism, post.. on the helpline (help service system) of this campaign.

Freedom from exploitation of consumers

World Consumer Day, National Consumer Day are organized at the government level. There is formality in it. The program is not promoted or publicized. There are no consumers in the program. Often, only employees of the tehsildar office, vendors, cheap food shopkeepers are present. The program is held in the presence of a few people. The program is not held with intimacy. In fact, in such a program, officers of different departments, gas agencies, weighing officers are needed. The consumer protection law should be explained to the consumers. The presence of consumers is required in the program. Only the news of the Salabad program is reported in the newspapers. However, there are no reforms. The law has given rights and privileges to consumers. They should be used as consumers. Because, consumer power + judicial power + penal power = freedom from exploitation is the equation. To get justice, one should complain without fear. The consumer should make proper use of the rights given to him, keep in mind his duties and buy in the market with awareness. Only then will there be no fraud.