CONTENTSCONTENTS Meaning of ConsumerMeaning of Consumer Meaning of ConsumerismMeaning of Consumerism Need for ConsumerismNeed for Consumerism Origin and Growth of Consumerism Origin and Growth of Consumerism Right to ConsumersRight to Consumers Hindrances to Growth of ConsumerismHindrances to Growth of Consumerism Future of consumerismFuture of consumerism Role of government and voluntary Role of government and voluntary

organisationsorganisations BibliographyBibliography

Who is ConsumerWho is Consumer

Any person, firm, co-operative, or Any person, firm, co-operative, or association who buys or hires (association who buys or hires (fully or fully or partly paid forpartly paid for) any goods or service.) any goods or service.

NOTNOT if for if for resaleresale or any or any commercial commercial purpose (purpose (except self-employmentexcept self-employment).).

NOTNOT freefree service or under a contract of service or under a contract of personal personal serviceservice

Meaning of ConsumerismMeaning of Consumerism

Consumerism means the protection of Consumerism means the protection of the consumers from their exploitation the consumers from their exploitation by the unfair trade practices of the by the unfair trade practices of the producers. producers.

Consumerism is a force through which Consumerism is a force through which they can exert their rights against the they can exert their rights against the sellers and can also pressurise the sellers and can also pressurise the Government to adopt necessary legal Government to adopt necessary legal measures to protect their interests.measures to protect their interests.

NEED FOR CONSUMERISMNEED FOR CONSUMERISM

Unfair Trade PracticesUnfair Trade Practices False or Misleading AdvertisementsFalse or Misleading Advertisements Monopolistic and Restrictive TradeMonopolistic and Restrictive Trade Unreasonable High PricesUnreasonable High Prices AdulterationAdulteration Under Measurement and Under Under Measurement and Under

WeightWeight

Denied After Sales ServiceDenied After Sales Service Duplicate and Sub-Standard GoodsDuplicate and Sub-Standard Goods Medical unethical practicesMedical unethical practices EducationEducation

ORIGIN OF CONSUMERISMORIGIN OF CONSUMERISM

Consumer cooperative movement Consumer cooperative movement originated from Britain. 28 weavers joined originated from Britain. 28 weavers joined together and started a consumer society together and started a consumer society known as ‘Rochdale Society of Equitable known as ‘Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers’ at Rochdale in 1844.Pioneers’ at Rochdale in 1844.

The movement gained importance in India The movement gained importance in India in 1912 when Cooperative Societies Act in 1912 when Cooperative Societies Act was passed. However, the cooperative was passed. However, the cooperative could not become successful before the could not become successful before the First World War.First World War.

US President John Kennedy introduced US President John Kennedy introduced the the Rights for ConsumersRights for Consumers::

Safety Safety Information Information Choice among a variety of products Choice among a variety of products

and services at competitive prices and services at competitive prices AA fair hearing by governments in fair hearing by governments in

the formulation of consumer policythe formulation of consumer policy

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTCONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted to protect the consumer enacted to protect the consumer against the unfair practices of the against the unfair practices of the producers and sellers.producers and sellers.

It has the provision for setting up a It has the provision for setting up a three tier quasi-judicial machinery three tier quasi-judicial machinery popularly known as consumer courts popularly known as consumer courts at national, state and district levels.at national, state and district levels.

Consumer's Rights under Section 6 Consumer's Rights under Section 6 of Consumer Protection Act 1986of Consumer Protection Act 1986

1.1. Right to SAFETY Right to SAFETY

2.2. Right to be INFORMED Right to be INFORMED

3.3. Right to CHOOSE Right to CHOOSE

4.4. Right to BE HEARD.Right to BE HEARD.

5.5. Right to seek REDRESSAL.Right to seek REDRESSAL.

6.6. Right to CONSUMER EDUCATIONRight to CONSUMER EDUCATION..

Hindrances to the growth of Hindrances to the growth of consumerismconsumerism

Illiteracy Illiteracy Lack of LeadershipLack of Leadership Difficulties in Disseminating Difficulties in Disseminating

Consumer EducationConsumer Education Cumbersome Legal ProcessCumbersome Legal Process Lack in Effective Implementation of Lack in Effective Implementation of

Legislative MeasuresLegislative Measures

Measures for growth of Measures for growth of consumerism in futureconsumerism in future

Emphasis on Consumer EducationEmphasis on Consumer Education PropagandaPropaganda Integrated ApproachIntegrated Approach Emphasis on Rural SectorEmphasis on Rural Sector PublicityPublicity

GOVERNMENT MEASURESGOVERNMENT MEASURES

Indian Contract Act, 1872Indian Contract Act, 1872 Sale of Goods Act, 1930Sale of Goods Act, 1930 Agricultural Produce (Grading and Agricultural Produce (Grading and

Marketing) Act, 1937Marketing) Act, 1937 Industries (Development and Industries (Development and

Regulation) Act, 1951Regulation) Act, 1951 Essential Commodities Act, 1955Essential Commodities Act, 1955 Consumer Protection Act, 1986Consumer Protection Act, 1986

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONSVOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

Consumers’ Guidance Society of Consumers’ Guidance Society of India, MumbaiIndia, Mumbai

Citizen Action Group, MumbaiCitizen Action Group, Mumbai Common Cause, New DelhiCommon Cause, New Delhi The Citizen Forum, HubliThe Citizen Forum, Hubli Voice, New DelhiVoice, New Delhi Consumer Association of IndiaConsumer Association of India The Indian Consumer CouncilThe Indian Consumer Council

Functions performed by voluntary Functions performed by voluntary organizationsorganizations

To Educate consumersTo Educate consumers To collect Samples of Various To collect Samples of Various

Products and Test themProducts and Test them To File Suit on Behalf of ConsumersTo File Suit on Behalf of Consumers To Raise voice against Rising PricesTo Raise voice against Rising Prices To Prevent AdulterationsTo Prevent Adulterations To Help Educational InstitutionsTo Help Educational Institutions

Authorities under Consumer Authorities under Consumer Protection ActProtection Act

The Central consumer Protection councilThe Central consumer Protection council

The Central Council shall work with the The Central Council shall work with the objectives to promote and protect the objectives to promote and protect the right of the consumers.right of the consumers.

1.1. Procedure for Meeting of the Central Procedure for Meeting of the Central CouncilCouncil

2.2. The State Consumer Protection CouncilThe State Consumer Protection Council

3.3. The District Consumer Protection CouncilThe District Consumer Protection Council

PURPOSE OF CONSUMER PURPOSE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACTPROTECTION ACT

Better Protection of the Interest of Better Protection of the Interest of the Consumersthe Consumers

Establishment of Consumer Establishment of Consumer Protection CouncilsProtection Councils

Establishment of Consumer Dispute Establishment of Consumer Dispute Redressal AgenciesRedressal Agencies

Protection of Rights of consumersProtection of Rights of consumers

District Commission District Commission (below 2o lakhs)(below 2o lakhs)

State Commission(20-100 State Commission(20-100 lakhs)lakhs)

National Commission National Commission (above 100 lakhs)(above 100 lakhs)

REDRESSAL MACHINERY

District ForumDistrict Forum

There are 3 members of these 1 There are 3 members of these 1 must be a lady member.must be a lady member.

It hears dispute involving a sum upto It hears dispute involving a sum upto Rs 20 lakhs .Rs 20 lakhs .

If either party is satisfied with the If either party is satisfied with the judgement, it can file appeal against judgement, it can file appeal against it with the state commission within it with the state commission within the 30 days.the 30 days.

State CommissionState Commission

It also composed of 3 members one It also composed of 3 members one must be a lady member.must be a lady member.

It redresses grievances involving a It redresses grievances involving a sum of Rs. 20 lakhs to 1 crore.sum of Rs. 20 lakhs to 1 crore.

If either of the party is not satisfied If either of the party is not satisfied with the decision , it can file against with the decision , it can file against it in National commission within 30 it in National commission within 30 days.days.

National CommissionNational Commission

It has 5 members including 1 lady It has 5 members including 1 lady member.member.

It has jurisdiction to hear It has jurisdiction to hear complaints a sum exceeding 1 complaints a sum exceeding 1 crore.crore.

If any party is not satisfied with If any party is not satisfied with the decision of that it can file the decision of that it can file complaintcomplaint

in the Supreme Courtin the Supreme Court

HOW TO FILE COMPLAINT WITH HOW TO FILE COMPLAINT WITH THE FORUM OR COMMISSION ?THE FORUM OR COMMISSION ?

File WITHIN 2 YEARS of cause of action in File WITHIN 2 YEARS of cause of action in the District Forum where the seller has his the District Forum where the seller has his business or lives or where the cause of business or lives or where the cause of action arose.action arose.

Submit 3 COPIES OF COMPLAINT ON PLAIN Submit 3 COPIES OF COMPLAINT ON PLAIN PAPER WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS PAPER WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (receipt, bill etc.) (receipt, bill etc.)

NO LAWYER IS NEEDED. PRESENT YOUR NO LAWYER IS NEEDED. PRESENT YOUR CASE IN PERSON. CASE IN PERSON.

MINIMAL FEE IS PAYABLE.MINIMAL FEE IS PAYABLE.

REMOVAL OF THE DEFECTS OR REMOVAL OF THE DEFECTS OR DEFICIENCIES.DEFICIENCIES.

REFUND OF MONEY.REFUND OF MONEY. REPLACEMENT OF THE GOODS.REPLACEMENT OF THE GOODS. COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OR COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OR

HARASSMENT OR MENTAL AGONY.HARASSMENT OR MENTAL AGONY. PROHIBITION OF MARKETING OF PROHIBITION OF MARKETING OF

GOODS HAZARDOUS FOR HEALTH OR GOODS HAZARDOUS FOR HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENT.ENVIRONMENT.

What remedies a consumer can get from the forum

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