Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Consumer Education and Protection from Class 10 Social Science. In this chapter, we will study the consumer, consumer rights, exploitation and consumer awareness. We will cover the major objectives of consumer protection and its importance, the precautionary measures to follow while buying goods and services, and the significance of consumer education regarding the methods of filing cases with the consumer court. Let us begin our lesson.
Service organisations use the term User to refer to those who use goods and services. The person who supplies goods or services is called the Provider. The Government, in its Consumer Protection Act, uses the word Consumer instead of user. It is the duty of traders and producers to provide quality goods and services for the price paid by the consumer. It is the right of every consumer to receive quality goods and services. Traders or producers cheat consumers in many ways. To stop this hindrance, some social organisations started movements. The history of the consumer movement began in the United States. In India, the Planning Commission backed the foundation of the Indian Association of Consumers in 1956. For various reasons, it was not effective. The real beginning of the movement in India started in 1965. During that year, some women of Mumbai started a movement called AWARE, which stands for The Association of Women Against Rising Expenses. This movement gave rise to national level movements in various parts of the country. The important associations include the Federation of Consumer Organisation and the National Consumer Protection Council. [CHECKPOINT]
Now let us understand the reasons for consumer exploitation. In the past, producers supplied goods directly to consumers, for example milk, fruits, and vegetables, without any interference from middlemen. When agricultural occupations developed, marketing methods changed. The direct transaction between the producer and the consumer almost stopped. The price fixation of goods and services was done mainly by middlemen. This led to many hindrances. Consumers faced various difficulties and problems, and they incurred heavy losses. The development of information technology has led to teleshopping. Through teleshopping, the consumer can sit at home and directly buy goods from traders. What is teleshopping? Instead of going to traders, consumers can place orders for goods advertised over television and other media. Through the internet, short message service, or telephone, consumers can place orders for selected goods. Payment can be made after receiving the goods at the door. This transaction is called teleshopping. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us now define the term consumer exactly as given in your textbook. A consumer is a person who buys goods or hires or avails services for a consideration called Price or Wages. The goods purchased may be for self consumption, meant for resale, or for a commercial purpose. Any activity or transaction carried on with the motive of making profit is a commercial purpose. Every consumer has certain wants and buys goods to satisfy them. It is the duty of every producer to satisfy the needs of consumers. Ours is a free enterprise economy and the consumer is regarded as the king, occupying a prime place. Unfortunately, many times consumers are neglected, exploited, and cheated, and they suffer heavily. [CHECKPOINT]
In the history of the World Consumers Movement, March 15, 1962 is an important day. On that day, President John F. Kennedy gave American consumers four basic rights: the right to safety, the right to choose, the right to information, and the right to be heard. For this reason, March 15th of every year is celebrated as World Consumers Day. Consumer Protection refers to protecting consumers against exploitation by producers and traders. There is a great need for consumer protection. To safeguard consumer interests, consumer rights are assured. Consumer movements were started by people who suffered from regular exploitation by traders. Such movements pressured the government to formulate new acts to safeguard consumer interests. In the last five decades, more than 30 acts have been implemented. Examples include the Essential Commodities Act, Weights and Measures Act, and the Act against Adulteration of Food Articles. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 is a significant step in this direction. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us study the major objectives of the act. The act accords importance to safety and quality. It aims to avoid the production and sale of dangerous goods. It focuses on the prevention of trade malpractices in the market. It ensures supervision on quality, weights, measures, and price. It provides for compensating consumers in case of any problem arising from trade. It aims to create awareness among consumers through consumer education. In total, the major objective of the act is to ensure quality goods and services at reasonable prices through healthy competition. The Consumer Protection Act extends to the whole of India and applies to all goods and services. The act promotes consumer rights such as the right to protect against the marketing of goods hazardous to life and property. The right to information, which includes details about quality, quantity, purity, and standard to protect against unfair trade practices. The right to choice, meaning access to a variety of goods at competitive prices wherever possible. The right to be heard, meaning consumer interests are to be heard with due consideration. The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation. The right to consumer education, ensuring consumers are educated about their rights. [CHECKPOINT]
Additionally, the act recognizes the right to stop exploitation and the right to a healthy environment, which means a good physical environment to enhance the quality of life. This act provides for the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority to protect consumer rights. At the national level, the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, at the state level, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and at the district level, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions were established to prevent consumer exploitation. Please note that the Consumer Protection Act 1986 is now defunct and was replaced by the Consumer Protection Act 2019. Let us examine the three stages. First is the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. There shall be a commission in each district. A qualified district judge nominated by the state government presides over it. It entertains complaints where the value of goods and services is less than 1 crore rupees. There shall be two members, of whom one shall be a woman. [CHECKPOINT]
Second is the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. A person who is or has been a High Court judge serves as its president. There shall be two other eminent members with adequate knowledge of consumer affairs, and of these two, one shall be a woman. It entertains complaints of more than 1 crore and less than 10 crores. Third is the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. It is headed by a Supreme Court judge appointed by the Central Government as president. There shall be four other members of eminence, integrity, and standing, of whom one shall be a woman. The National Commission disposes of complaints where the claim exceeds 10 crores. Now let us learn the complete methods to follow when filing a case in a consumer commission or court. There is no prescribed proforma to file a case. The complaint may be typed or handwritten. The complaint should include the name of the person, also known as the complainant, along with their full address and telephone number. The person or organisation against whom the complaint is made should be mentioned clearly with their address. [CHECKPOINT]
Continuing with the filing requirements, the particulars of the goods by which the loss was incurred and the exact amount of loss must be specified clearly. The bill or receipt should be enclosed with the complaint. There is no fee or stamp duty required for filing the complaint. Furthermore, no advocate or lawyer is required, as the consumer himself or herself can argue the case in the commission. Now let us move to the exercises. I will read each question and provide the complete answer. Exercise one, fill in the blanks. Question one: The other name of the consumer is User. Question two: Person giving goods or services for money is called Provider. Question three: The Consumer Day is observed on March 15th every year. Question four: In the case of compensation less than 1 crore, the complaint has to be submitted to the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise two, answer in one word or sentence. Question five: Who is called a consumer? Answer: A consumer is a person who buys goods or hires or avails services for a consideration called Price or Wages. Question six: What is the main aim of the Consumer Movement? Answer: To safeguard consumer interests against exploitation and ensure quality goods and services. Question seven: What is the right of every consumer? Answer: It is the right of every consumer to get quality goods and services. Question eight: When did the Consumer Protection Act come into force in India? Answer: The Consumer Protection Act came into force in 1986. Question nine: Who appoints the president of the District Commission? Answer: The state government nominates a qualified district judge to preside over it. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise three, answer in two or three sentences. Question ten: What are the problems faced by consumers? Answer: Consumers face difficulties such as exploitation by traders, price fixation by middlemen, lack of direct transactions with producers, and suffering heavy losses due to unfair trade practices and defective goods. Question eleven: What are the causes for consumer exploitation? Answer: The shift from direct producer-to-consumer supply to middlemen-dominated marketing, price fixation by middlemen, lack of consumer awareness, and complex marketing methods are the main causes. Question twelve: Mention four important aims of the Consumer Protection Act. Answer: The aims are ensuring safety and quality, avoiding production and sale of dangerous goods, preventing trade malpractices in the market, and supervising quality, weights, measures, and price. Question thirteen: Mention three stages of the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. Answer: The three stages are the District Commission for claims less than 1 crore, the State Commission for claims between 1 and 10 crores, and the National Commission for claims exceeding 10 crores. Question fourteen: What are the methods to follow to file a complaint? Answer: The complaint can be typed or handwritten without a prescribed form. It must include complainant details, respondent details, loss particulars, the amount, and an enclosed bill. No fee or lawyer is required. [CHECKPOINT]
Exercise four asks us to observe a picture and answer questions. Since you are listening, I will describe what you must look for in the textbook image. The picture shows a packaged consumer product. You must read the company name printed on the packet. You must note the maximum retail price printed on it. You must find the date of manufacturing of this item. You must also find the date within which this item is to be used, which is the expiry date. Always verify these four details before purchasing. Exercise five covers activities. Activity one: Visit your district consumer commission with your teacher, observe the functions, and collect information. Activity two: Prepare four slogans to create consumer awareness. Examples are: Be an aware consumer, buy with care. Know your rights, demand quality. Stop exploitation, choose wisely. Consumer is king, protect your rights. Activity three: Plan a march on World Consumer Day and engage yourself in creating consumer awareness. Activity four: Collect different types of bills and receipts to understand transaction records. Exercise six is a project: Imagine an instance of being cheated by a trader and prepare a complaint. Prepare your own supporting documents. To complete this, write a formal complaint with your details, the trader details, a description of the defective goods, the amount paid, attach the original bill, and clearly state the compensation sought. Submit it to the appropriate district commission. [CHECKPOINT]
Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]