Meaning of Consumer
Consumer Protection Act 1986 was introduced to make consumers aware about their rights and to give them legal protection. According to it consumer is defined as follows.
1. Any person who buys any goods for a consideration. It includes any user of such goods with the approval of the buyer. But it does not include a person who obtains goods for resale or any commercial purpose.
2. Any person who avails any services for a consideration. It includes any beneficiary of such services but it does not include a person who avails such service for any commercial purpose.
Meaning of Consumer Protection
CPA, 1986 defines consumer protection as
1. To protect and promote the interest of consumers by recognising consumer’s rights such as right to safety, right to be informed, right to choose, right to be heard, right to seek redressal and right to consumer education.
2. To provide for a simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal of consumer grievances by setting a 3-Tier enforcement machinery.
Rights of a Consumer
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has provided six rights to the consumers, which are as follows:
1. Right to Safety: Consumer has the right to be protected against products, & services which are hazardous to health & life (should use ISI marked electronic devices.
2. Right to be Informed: Consumer has right to have complete information about the product before buying it.
3. Right to choose: Consumer has a right to choose any product out of the available products as per his own decision making.
4. Right to be heard: Consumer has the right to file a complaint to be heard in case of dissatisfaction with goods or services (use of grievance cell)
5. Right to Seek Redressal: Consumer has the right to get relief in case the product or service falls short of his expectations or is dangerous. He may be provided with replacement/removal of defect or compensation for any loss. Various redressal forums are set up by the Govt. at National and State level.
6. Right to consumer education: Consumer has the right to acquire knowledge and to be well informed throughout life. He should be made aware of his rights and reliefs available to him in case of the product or service falls short of his expectations. The Govt. of India has included consumer eduin the school curriculum & is making use of media to make consumers aware of their rights.
