Different rights

DIFFERENT RIGHTS  

• After years of campaigns and awareness programs, there are certain rights that have been introduced to ensure that the consumers are not exploited. Let us look at them.

SAFTEY, INFORMATION, CHOICE

RIGHT TO SAFTEY:

• While using many goods and services, we as consumers, have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.
• Producers need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations. There are many goods and services that we purchase that require special attention to safety.
• For example, pressure cookers have a safety valve, which, if it is defective, can cause a serious accident. The manufacturers of the safety valve have to ensure high quality.
• Public or government action is also required to see that this quality is maintained.

RIGHT TO INFORMATION

• Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase.
• Consumers can then complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner.

• These details are about ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date, direction for use, address of manufacture etc.
• For example, if we buy a product and find it defective well within the expiry period, we can ask for a replacement. If let us, say the expiry is not there, the manufacturer will shift the responsibility on the shopkeeper.
• Similarly, one can protest and complain if someone sells a good at more than the printed price on the packet. This is indicated by ‘MRP’ — maximum retail price.
• In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law, popularly known as RTI (Right to Information) Act, which ensures its citizens all the information about the functions of government departments.

RIGHT TO CHOICE

• Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive the service.
• You cannot be forced to buy any product from a particular vendor.

RIGHT TO SEEK REDRESSAL

RIGHT TO REPRESENT:

• The Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.