Consumer is the real deciding factor for all economic activities.

It is now universally accepted that the extent of consumer protection is a true indicator of the level of progress in a nation. The growing size and complexity of production and distribution systems, the high level of sophistication in marketing and selling practices and forms of promotion like advertising, etc has contributed to the increased need for consumer protection. Recognizing this, a well placed organizational set up has been created both at the Central and State level. At the central, Department of Consumer Affairs, under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is the nodal organization for the protection of rights of consumers, redressal of consumer grievances and promotion of standards of goods and services, etc.

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is the most important legislation enacted to provide for effective safeguards to consumers against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings, relying on mainly compensatory rather than a punitive or preventive approach. The Act has set up a three-tier quasijudicial consumer disputes redressal machinery at the National, State and District levels, for expeditious and inexpensive settlement of consumer disputes. It also postulates establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the Central and State levels for the purpose of spreading consumer awareness. The Weights and Measures Unit, under the Department of Consumer Affairs has been set up to promote use of exact and correct weighing and measuring instruments. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been set up under Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 as the National Standards Body of India. It is engaged in formulation of quality standards of goods or services as well as their certification through Quality Certification Schemes.

Every individual is a consumer, regardless of occupation, age, gender , community or religious affiliation. Consumer rights and welfare are now an integral part of the life of an individual and we all have made use of them at some or the other point in our daily routine. Every year 15th March is observed as "World Consumer Rights Day". It commemorates a historic declaration (1962) by former US President John F. Kennedy of four basic consumer rights: The right to safety The right to be informed The right to choose The right to be heard

This declaration eventually led to the international recognition of the fact that all citizens, regardless of their incomes or social standing, have basic rights as consumers. Another significant day is 9 April 1985, when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a set of guidelines for consumer protection and the Secretary General of the United Nations was authorized to persuade member countries to adopt these guidelines through policy changes or law. These guidelines constituted a comprehensive policy framework outlining what Governments need to do to promote consumer protection in the following areas:

Physical safety Protection and promotion of consumer economic interests Standards for safety and quality of consumer goods and services Measures enabling consumers to obtain redressal Measures relating to specific areas (food, water, and pharmaceuticals) and Consumer education and information program

Right to Seek Redressal

Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumers must make complaint for their genuine grievances. Many a times their complaint may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be very large. They can also take the help of consumer organizations in seeking redressal of their grievances.

Right to Consumer Education

Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved with success. Thus, the concern of consumer protection is to ensure fair trade practices; quality of goods and efficient services with information to the consumer with regard to quality, quantity, potency, composition and price for their choice of purchase. Such a consumer protection policy creates an environment whereby the clients, customers, and consumers receive satisfaction from the delivery of goods and services needed by them.

The Act envisages the promotion and protection of the following rights of consumers:

Right to Safety
Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfill long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI, AGMARK, etc.

Right to be Informed
Means right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices. Consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to desist from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques.

Right to Choose
Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it means right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price. It also includes right to basic goods and services. This is because unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the majority of its fair share. This right can be better exercised in a competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive prices.

Right to be Heard
Means that consumer's interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. The consumers should form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can be given representation in various committees formed by the Government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers.

THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKET PLACE..

We participate in the market both as a consumer and a producer, = as a producer we produce goods and services, = and as a consumer we purchase goods and services that we need. But in the market, we find that very often it is the consumers who are exploited to a great extent. Exploitation in the market place happens in various ways, such as = sometimes traders indulge in unfair trade practices, such as when traders weigh less than what they should. = traders add charges that were not mentioned. = when adulterated/defective goods are sold. = passing of false information through media to attract consumers. Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful, whereas consumers are scattered and purchase in small quantities. This happens especially when large companies with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the market in various ways. Hence there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers.

Consumer Movement
Consumer movements arose out of the following.
= dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers. = there was no legal system available for consumers to protect themselves from exploitation in the market place.

In India, consumer movement originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interest of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices. such as, a) food shortage b) hoarding c) black marketing d) adulteration of food and edible oil. In an organized way consumer movement was form in the 1960s, however till the 1970s .consumer organizations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. A major step was taken in 1986 by the Indian Govt with the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.

In 1985, United Nations adopted the UN guidelines for consumer protection, and this has become a tool to press the Govts. world wide for consumer protection. today Consumers International has become an umbrella body of 240 organization from 100 countries.

SAFETY IS EVERYONES RIGHT

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, they are many goods which require special attention for safety such as the pressure cooker which have safety valve, which if defective can cause a serious accident.
Therefore the manufacturers of the safety valve have to ensure a high quality but, we do find bad quality in the market, because the supervision of these rules is weak and the consumer movement is also not strong enough.

INFORMATION ABOUT GOODS AND SERVICES

Regarding information to goods and services, we as consumers have the following Rights. 1. Right to be informed. 2. Right to choose. 1.Right to be informed :- When we buy any commodity, we find certain details given on the package such as ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer. Why does the manufacturer displays this information ? It is because consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. 2. Right to choose :- Any consumer who receives goods and services in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of services, has the right to choose whether to received the same or not.

Where should consumers go to get justice :Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation in the consumer court. If any damage is done to a consumer, he or she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage. The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organization locally known as consumers forum or consumers protection council, they guide Consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court, on many occasions they also represent individual consumers in the consumer court. Under COPRA a three- tier system is set up at the district, state and National level for redressal of consumer disputes. -- The district level court deals with the cases involving claims up to 20 lakhs. -- the state level courts from Rupees 20 lakhs to 1 crore. -- the national level above 1 crore.

Why consumer Education is Important

Consumer education is important for the following reasons :1. It provides the person with the basic knowledge to handle consumer problem, he/she becomes a discriminating buyer by taking rational decisions, and thus not fall prey to advertisements or persuasions.

2. Technological developments have flooded the market with a variety of products, goods and services, it is therefore important that a person possesses basic knowledge and skills to judge the product.
3. School children are mostly dependent on their parents, it is therefore important that they make the best use of their pocket money. 4. Consumers education can alert the pupils to the corporate dumping of dangerous pharmaceuticals and similar products.