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Introduction
Everyone has a necessity in life, and everyone has to buy some goods or services in daily life. Hence everyone is consumer is one or other way.
In the era of capitalism, main motive of producers and sellers is maximum profit. Therefore, in the fulfillment of their goals, there interest of the consumer are exploited by unfair trade practices.
Thus in order to save consumer being cheated, it is very much necessary for a consumer to be aware of his rights. To sum up, consumer awareness must be a necessary practice of every consumer.
What is Consumer Awareness?
Consumer awareness is the knowledge required by the end-user before buying goods and services. It is to make sure that consumer is aware of his rights and duties. Thus, to avoid consumer exploitation.
Objectives of Consumer Awareness
To publish specific booklets.
To enlighten the sellers, producers community about the ethical and legal obligations.
To analyze, study and suggest new measures for the effective and better consumer protection.
To conduct motivational campaigns for potential consumers in rural, urban and remote areas.
Need/Importance of Consumer Awareness
1. Protection against exploitation
2. Maximum Satisfaction
3. Motivation for savings
4. To eradicate Consumer Illiteracy
5. Social Awareness
Who is Consumer?
Consumer is person or group of persons, who is end-user of the goods and services. In other words, any individual or group of persons, who buys product for their personal use and not for resale.
Hence, consumer is decision maker whether or not to buy an item at the store. He/She is often influenced by advertisements and marketing.
Consumer Exploitation
Consumer exploitation is the critical situation in which a consumer is cheated/given false information. More often, by the sellers, middle men or the producers. They manipulate the market in many ways. Since they have huge wealth and power.
Ways of Consumer exploitation
1. Lack of Safety devices
2. High Prices
3. Sub Standard Quality
4. Artificial Scarcity
5. False/ Incomplete Information
Consumer Movement in India
Historically consumer welfare dates back to the vedic age.
Four types of offenses in vedic age are
Adulteration in food items
Overcharging
Underweight
Sale of restrictive goods
In Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Manusmriti, Consumer Protection occupies a prominent Place.
Consumer movement in India started in early 1960s. In 1970s consumer organization were formed to look into malpractices in “Fair Price Shops”.
Reasons/Need for Consumer Protection
Social responsibility
Increasing Awareness
Consumer Satisfaction
Principle of Social Justice
Principle of Trusteeship
Role of Government in Consumer Protection
COPRA
Consumer Courts
National Consumer Helpline
Jago Grahak Jago Programm
Certification Marks
Consumer Rights
1. Right to Safety
2. Right to be informed
3. Right to choose
4. Right to be heard
5. Right to redress
6. Right to Consumer education
Consumer Courts in India
1. District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum
2. State Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum
3. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum
Important Days
National Consumer Day
24th December every year is observed as National Consumer Day as the COPRA 1986 was enacted on this day.
World Consumer Rights Day
On 15th March 1962, US President John F Kennedy raised the issue of consumer rights. Hence 15th March every year is observed as World Consumer Rights Day.
Jago grahak Jago
It is a consumer awareness program launched by Government of India in 2005. This program create consumer awareness through print media, poster, audio and video campaigns for consumer information and education. Thus, making sure that every consumer is aware of their rights and responsibilities.
National Consumer Helpline
Consumers can easily complain about their grievances on NCH by three ways
TollFree 1800 11 4000
SMS 81300 09809
Register on Consumer helpline
Consumer Duties / Consumer Responsibilities
1. Be Critically Aware
2. Be Involved
3. Be organized
4. Practice Sustainable Consumption
5. Be responsible to Environment
Conclusion -Consumer Awareness
To sum up, every consumer must check the price, quality and quantity of the products before purchase. If the goods and services are defective, he/she should raise the voice with this regard.
In addition, if consumer is aware of their rights and responsibilities then he/she is less likely to get exploited. Thus every consumer should know about their six consumer rights and complain in case of grievance.
Therefore, every consumer must know about certification marks, consumer groups and organizations, which avoids consumer exploitation.