Solution of Chapter 5. Consumer Right (Understanding Economic Development Book)

What are the various ways by which people may be exploited in the market?

Think of one example from your experience where you thought that there was some ‘cheating’ in the market. Discuss in the classroom.

What do you think should be the role of government to protect consumers?

what could have been the steps taken by consumer groups?

There may be rules and regulations but they are often not followed. Why? Discuss.

For the following (you can add to the list) products/services discuss what safety rules should be observed by the producer?

(a) LPG cylinder

(b) Cinema theatre

(c) Circus

(d) Medicines

(e) Edible oil

(f) Marriage pandal

(g) A high-rise building.

Find out any case of accident or negligence from people around you, where you think that the responsibility lay with the producer. Discuss.

When we buy commodities we find that the price charged is sometimes higher or lower than the Maximum Retail Price printed on the pack. Discuss the possible reasons. Should consumer groups do something about this?

Pick up a few packaged goods that you want to buy and examine the information given. In what ways are they useful? Is there some information that you think should be given on those packaged goods but is not? Discuss.

People make complaints about the lack of civic amenities such as bad roads or poor water and health facilities but no one listens. Now the RTI Act gives you the power to question. Do you agree? Discuss.

Following are some of the catchy advertisements of products that we purchase from the market. Which of the following offers would really benefit consumers? Discuss.

(a) 15 gm more in every 500 gm pack.

(b) Subscribe for a newspaper with a gift at the end of year.

(c) Scratch and win gifts worth Rs 10 lakh.

(d) A milk chocolate inside a 500 gram glucose box.

(e) Win a gold coin inside a pack.

(f) Buy shoes worth Rs 2000 and get one pair of shoes worth Rs 500 free.

Arrange the following in the correct order.

(a) Arita files a case in the District Consumer Court.

(b) She engages a professional person.

(c) She realizes that the dealer has given her defective material.

(d) She starts attending the court proceedings.

(e) She goes and complains to the dealer and the Branch office, to no effect.

(f) She is asked to produce the bill and warranty before the court.

(g) She purchases a wall clock from a retail outlet.

(h) Within a few months, the dealer was ordered by the court to replace her old wall clock with a brand new one at no extra cost.

what is the difference between consumer protection council and consumer court?

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 ensures the following as rights which every consumer in India should possess.

(i) Right to choice

(ii) Right to information

(iii) Right to redressal

(iv) Right to representation

(v) Right to safety

(vi) Right to consumer education

Categorise the following cases under different heads and mark against each in brackets.

(a) Lata got an electric shock from a newly purchased iron. She complained to the shopkeeper immediately. ()

(b) John is dissatisfied with the services provided by MTNL/BSNL/TATA INDICOM for the past few months. He files a case in the District Level Consumer Forum. ()

(c) Your friend has been sold a medicine that has crossed the expiry date and you are advising her to lodge a complaint ()

(d) Iqbal makes it a point to scan through all the particulars given on the pack of any item that he buys. ()

(e) You are not satisfied with the services of the cable operator catering to your locality but you are unable to switch over to anybody else. ()

(f) You realise that you have received a defective camera from a dealer. You are complaining to the head officer persistently. ()

If the standardization ensures the quality of a commodity, why are many goods available in the market without ISI or Agmark certification?

Find out the details of who provides Hallmark and ISO certification.

Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.

What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.

Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.

Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.

What is the rationale behind the enactment of consumer protection Act 1986?

Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.

Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?

What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in Indian?

Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.

By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?

Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.

Match the following:

List I

(i) Availing details of ingredients of a product

(ii) Agmark

(iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter

(iv) District Consumer Court

(v) Consumers International

(vi) Bureau of Indian Standards

List II

(a) Right to safety

(b) Dealing with edible oil and cereals

(c) Certification of edible oil and cereals

(d) Agency that develops standards for goods and services

(e) Right to information

(f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organization

Say True of False.

(i) COPRA applies only to goods

(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.

(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.

(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.

(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardization of jewellery.

(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.

(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.