The consumer right that makes a business firm set up a consumer grievance cell is known as “Right to be heard”. Under this right consumer can file a complaint in case of dissatisfaction that arise from availing a service.

Question - 2 : - Which quality certification mark is used for agricultural products?

Answer - 2 : -

AGMARK sign is issued and certified by Govt. of India Directorate of marketing and inspection. The quality certification mark used for agricultural products is AGMARK. The AGMARK sign is issued by Directorate of marketing and inspection of Government of India.

Question - 3 : - What is the jurisdiction of cases that can be filed in a State Commission?

Answer - 3 : -

State commission will accept cases where the value of goods and services that are being disputed along with the compensation that is demanded must fall between 20 lakhs till 1 crore.

Question - 4 : - State any two reliefs available to consumers under CPA.

Answer - 4 : -

Reliefs available to consumers under CPA or Consumer Protection act are:

1. Removal of defective goods or provide replacement for the goods.

2. To stop manufacturing of hazardous goods and resist offering of such services that are of hazardous nature.

Question - 5 : - Name the component of the product mix that helps the consumer to exercise the right to information.

Answer - 5 : -

The component of product mix that helps the consumer to exercise the right to information is called as the quality certification of the product.

Question - 6 : - Enumerate the various Acts passed by the Government of India which help in protection of consumers’ interests.

Answer - 6 : -

Here is a list of the Acts that are passed by the Government of India in order to protect consumer interests:

1. CPA or Consumer Protection Act, 1986: This act provides protection to the consumers against different forms of exploitation such as unfair trade practices, deficiency in services or defective goods. As per this act there is a three-level redressal mechanism to address all consumer complaints. These levels are i) District forum, ii) State Commission and iii) National Commission.

2. The Contract Act, 1982: Under this act, the conditions on the basis of which promises in a contract are made binding are defined. Also, the act provides solutions in case there is a breach of the contract.

3. The Agriculture Produce or Grading and Marking Act, 1937: This act defines standards for livestock and agricultural commodities. It provides procedure for packing, grading and marking of the agricultural products. The quality certification that is provided by the Act is known as AGMARK.

4. The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976: This act helps in safeguarding of the interests of the consumers for practices which are related to the goods that are under-measure and under-weight.

5. The Sale of Goods Act, 1930: It provides protection to the consumers in case the product or good purchased by them is not abiding by the warranties and conditions that are associated with the good or product.

6. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954: This act is used for checking and preventing food adulteration and thereby maintaining purity of the product.

7. The Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986: As per this act, BIS or Bureau of Indian Standards are established for formulating the standards of goods quality and provide certification of quality for those products as per BIS certification scheme. The quality certification provided is known as ISI mark. It also addresses the redressal of complaints regarding product quality.

8. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955: As per this act, it provides for any type of control in production, distribution and supply of the essential goods. It also tracks the black marketing and ensures quality in product distribution.

9. The Competition Act, 2002: This act prevents any such practice by the business firms which will delay the competition of the market.

10. The Trade Marks Act, 1999: This act is formed for checking the use of false marks on the consumer goods and subsequently protecting consumers against use of such goods.

Question - 7 : - What are the responsibilities of a consumer?

Answer - 7 : -

A customer can have some responsibilities which are enumerated as follows:

1. A consumer should be aware of the goods and services availability. It will make the customer informed and accordingly customer can make the choice.

2. A consumer must check all the appropriate quality marks on the items before purchasing the items. For example, checking hallmark symbol before purchasing jewellery.

3. A consumer must always ask for cash memo for the product or service that is purchased. It acts as a proof that purchase happened and can be used as a reference in case of any dispute that may arise in future.

4. Consumer must read the labels about price, expiry date etc. before making a purchase.

5. A consumer must always deal with honesty and do not involve in illegal business deals for benefit.

6. A consumer must read the manuals that are provided with the equipment in order to be safe.

7. A consumer must file a complaint about a product that is defective or lacking any functions as mentioned for the product. Complaints must be done in the appropriate forum.

8. Consumer must keep the environment clean by avoiding pollution or generating waste from products purchased.

Question - 8 : - Who can file a complaint in a consumer court?

Answer - 8 : -

Under the Consumer Protection Act many establishments have been established for redressal of grievances of consumers, these establishments are consumer forums, consumer courts. As per the act, the following type of entities can file a complaint in a consumer court:

1. Any individual consumer.

2. Any registered consumer organisation or any such association.

3. The state and the central government.

4. An individual consumer or a group of such consumer who are representing a large number of consumers each having the same type of interest.

5. Any legal representative or heir of a consumer who is deceased.

Question - 9 : - FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has made a proposal for hotels and other food outlets to declare the kind of oil/fat used in cooking each of the food items on their menus. Name and explain the Consumer Right being reinforced by this proposal.

Answer - 9 : -

Consumer right which is reinforced by this proposal reinforced is “right to be informed”. In this right the consumer has the right to have complete information about the product that the consumer wants to purchase, it can include the details like date of manufacture, quantity, expiry, date of manufacture, directions of use. Due to this legal binding the manufacturers are required to have all such information published on the package of the product.

Question - 10 : - Who is a consumer as per CPA?

Answer - 10 : -

Consumer according to Consumer Protection Act or CPA is that person who either purchases a product or avails a service for personal use or earning income by self-employment. There is a consideration in availing the service which can be either fully paid, partly paid or partly promised. It involves a beneficiary of such goods and services when any such use is made on getting approval from such a person.

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