Consumers should be vigilant while making purchases to protect their rights
In a Press Release, Brig. K.G. Behl (Retd.), President, All India Consumers Council, Uttarakhand, stated after consulting members of the executive of All India Consumers Council, that Department of Consumer Affairs, under Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, Govt. of India is celebrating Consumer Awareness Week (20 – 27 October 2016) and cleanliness Fortnight (16 – 31 Oct. 2016). Since it is a continued Festival time many functions are being held in different localities to celebrate those. To celebrate Festivals plenty of sweets are not only consumed but exchanged with relatives and friends. As a result the sweetmeat sellers prepare extra sweets and in the process purchase some sub standard raw materials, lile khoya, Paneer ets.. Such adulterated sweets cause stomach disorders and even food poisoning which at times become fatal. The consumers are, therefore, advised to be careful while making purchases and report if they find any such products being sold so that those could be confiscated.
Moreover, it is learnt from the surprise raids carried out by Weights and Measures Deptt. that that even the weight of container box is being sold at the rate of sweets which amounts to cheating. But the consumers in their hurry get duped. Since they do not take any receipt in their hurry no action can be taken against the offenders even when defects are noticed shortly afterwards.
While purchasing other products too, care should be taken of printed MRP, Date of Expiry, Total Weight printed and charges made for the weight since differences have been noticed in both weights.
In addition, while purchasing care should be taken to ensure that the products are genuine and bear the Haul Mark of either ISI, Agmark, BIS etc. Do not get attracted by huge discounts in getting substandard products.
Who is a Consumer ?
Any one who buys goods and services for his/her use is a consumer. User of such goods and services with the permission of the buyer is also a consumer. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 applies to all goods and services. It covers all sectors Private, Public, Cooperative etc. The amendment of 1993 includes goods whose use could be hazardous to life and safety like drugs and food products being sold after the expiry of dates, traders who adopt restrictive trade practices, services relating to housing, removal of deficiency from services etc.
The Consumer Protection Act 2003 has further given strength to further support the consumer rights and provide better protection and speedy justice especially as the number of cases are piling up. Enhancing the pecuniary jurisdiction of all consumer courts, creation of Benches of State and National commissions to speed up pending cases and fixing time limit for the disposal of cases, empowering Forums to award punitive damages by providing teeth in its implementation.
During festivals a lot of extra garbage gets produced and gets littered around and as such as good consumers it becomes our responsibility to not only keep the areas cleaned but help the authorities in the process.
Consumers are therefore requested to become fully aware of their rights and act boldly to protect their rights.
