Question

Explain any five rights of Consumers.

Answer 1

Right to Choose



What most of us don't know is that a consumer can even bargain on the MRP.



2. Right to Safety



The main application of this right isin the healthcare, pharmaceuticals and food processing sector as thesehave direct impact on health. It aimstoprotect consumers against immoral practices by doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and the automobile industry. But in the absence of world-class product testing facilities in our country the right can, well, be termed as toothless.

3. Right to Information



This right is meant to protect consumers against unfair trade practices. But there are many consumer goods in India that do not follow the standardized labelling convention.

Take medicines for example.The pharmaceuticals are required to disclose potential side effects of theirdrugs and manufacturers shouldpublish reports from independent product testing laboratories in order to facilitate a comparative analysiswith the competitive product. But there is no such thing in practice.

4. Right to be Heard



Although consumer courts are there to hear and resolve the complaints of a consumer, we still lack a substantial outlet where consumers can voice out their opinion. Having said that,there are many websites which aim to make sure that the voice of customers reach the corporate world. These websites let customers upload their grievancesandfile complaints. Every grievancefiled gradually lessens the overall score of the product being criticized.

If the new bill seeking to amend the present law is passed, a Central Consumer Protection Authority with investigative powers will be set up.

5. Right to Redressal



There are consumer courts at district, state and national level for redressal of disputes. But these courts have immense scope of improvement. Apart from the infrastructure constraint, the number of officials required are way less than deployed.

Answer 2

Explanation of any five rights of Consumers are as follows:

• Basic needs like food, clothing etc are right of consumer.
• Safety of citizens is also consumer's right.
• Another consumer right is consumer education.
• Healthy environment is included in this right.
• Choosing something of one's own choice is also consumer right.