Consumer Rights & Protection - Notes

Types of Goods

  • Free goods: Abundant in nature, freely available, and require no payment.
    • Examples: Air, sunlight
  • Economic goods: Goods and services purchased for a price.
    • Examples: Housing, electric vehicles, water
  • Consumer goods: Final goods used by consumers to satisfy their wants, bought and sold for a price and not subjected to production again.
    • Examples: Clothes, electronics, food items, appliances, and passenger vehicles
  • Capital goods: Physical products used in the production of other products; assist in the production process.
    • Examples: Buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and tools
  • Durable goods: Goods that last a long time and can be reused.
    • Examples: Refrigerators, washing machines, cars, and bicycles
  • Non-durable goods: Items that can be used only for a short period of time.
    • Examples: Paper and plastic plates, cups and other disposable food service products, disposable diapers, clothing and footwear

Consumer Protection Act 2019

  • Came into force on July 20, 2020, replacing the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
  • Aims to empower consumers and protect their rights.
  • Features:
    • Established the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to protect and enforce consumer rights.
    • Prevents unfair trade practices by e-commerce platforms.
    • Simplifies the consumer dispute resolution process.
    • Provides punishment for the manufacture or sale of low-quality or duplicate goods.
    • Prohibits misleading advertisements.
    • Guarantees the right to consumer education.

Levels of Consumer Court

  • The history of consumer courts began with the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in India in 1986.
  • Formed for speedy resolution of complaints
  • Consumer courts operate at three levels:

Seminar Paper Topics for World Consumer Day

  • Rights of consumers
  • Situations when consumers are cheated
  • Consumers Protection Act
  • Consumer Courts
  • Importance of consumer education
  • Importance of Consumer’s Day

Types of Fraud and Resolution Methods

  • Frauds related to educational institutions
    • Contact UGC, AICTE, State Board
    • Approach Consumer Forum
    • Lodge a complaint with the police
    • Contact the Ministry of Education
  • Healthcare Frauds
    • File a complaint through the grievance portal of the State/National/Medical Council
    • Complain with a report to the Director of Health.
    • File Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court and Supreme Court for serious health frauds
    • File a complaint through the Aarogya Setu app.
  • Fraudulent offers of jobs abroad
    • Complain through the Protectorate of Emigrants (P0E)
    • File a case under IPC Section 420.
    • If scammed abroad, lodge a complaint with the Indian Embassy or High Commission.
    • Contact Pravasi Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) Toll No: 1800-11-3090
  • Online Fraud
    • Complain to Cyber Crime Cell at cybercrime.gov.in
    • Report to the CERT - IN portal (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team)
    • Submit a complaint through the National Consumer Helpline or at info@cert.in.org.in
  • Banking frauds
    • Approach the Bank Grievance Redressal Mechanism (Branch Manager)
    • If the bank does not respond within 30 days, you can approach the RBI Ombudsman.
    • Banking Ombudsman Toll free no: 14448, cgmbank@rbi.org.in