CBSE Class 10 Economics Consumer Rights Worksheet Set B

 TOPIC/CHAPTER: 5CONSUMER RIGHTS

SUMMARY

How did consumer movement arise in India?We participate in the market both as producers & consumers. Exploitation in the market place happens in various ways; most often traders
indulge in unfair trade practices. The salient features of COPRA (1986): It gives various rights to consumers, establishes consumer protection councils at the central and state levels to promote and protect the rights of the consumers. It provides a separate three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the national, state and district levels. Consumers rights are: 1. Right to be heard 2. Right to safety 3. Right to choose 4. Right to Seek Redressal 5. Right to be informed 6. Right to consumer education. What are the duties of consumers? Consumer forums or consumer protection councils are voluntary organizations. They help in creating awareness among people. They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts. Why is the consumer redressal process becoming cumbersome, expensive and time consuming In India?

Note: Answer the questions of 1, 5, 10 &14 in your class work book.

1 What are the different ways in which consumers are exploited? OR

How the consumers are exploited in market place? Explain with three examples. (CBSE-SCH- March 2012)

Ans. Exploitation in the market place happens in various ways; most often traders indulge in unfair trade practices some of them are as follows:

1. Underweight & Under Measurement: The goods being sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighed properly.

2. Over Pricing: When traders add charges that were not mentioned before, it increases the prices.

3. Adulteration & Impurity: Traders mix other items in the food products such as spices, oils, ghee etc.

4. Defective Goods: Sometimes traders sell defective goods like machines & home appliances, which are made up of low quality material ignoring safety.

5. False Information: Sometimes the producers or the sellers mislead consumers by providing false information through media or other sources to attract consumers.

6. Eg. A Company producing powdered milk for babies which is popular worldwide, made false claims as ―Most scientific product greater than mothers‘ milk‖. Similarly cigarettemanufacturing companies did not accept the health hazards until a battle was fought in the court to make them accept the fact the product would cause cancer.

7. Other Unfair Trade Practices: Include hoarding & black marketing as well as unsatisfactory after sale services.

2. What is our role as producers & consumers in the market?

1. We participate in the market both as producers & consumers. As producers of goods & services we could be working in any of the various sectors such as agriculture, industry, administrative services, defence etc.

2. As consumers we participate in the market when we purchase the goods & services we need.

3. Why are rules & regulations required in the market place?

1. Rules and regulations are required for protection of the consumer against unfair trade practices.

2. Sometimes the seller tries to shift all the responsibility to the buyer once the sale is completed, in this kind of a situation individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position. Hence rules and regulations are required to change the situation and protect the consumers from exploitation.

4 What were the conditions prevailing in India which gave birth to the consumer movement?

1. The consumer movement emerged out of dissatisfaction of the consumers regarding many unfair trade practices by the sellers.

2. There was no legal system available for the consumers to protect them from exploitation in the market place. It was presumed that it is the responsibility of a consumer to be careful
while buying a commodity or a service.

3. There were rampant food shortages, hoarding, black-marketing & adulteration of food. Thus, the consumer movement in India originated as a social force with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interest of consumers against unethical & unfair trade practices.

5. When did the consumer movement at the international level launch and what were its objectives?

1. In 1985, the United Nations adopted the ‗UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection‘. This became a tool for nations to adopt measures to protect consumers and for consumer
advocacy groups to force their government to follow the UN guidelines.

2. Today consumer‘s international consists of 240 organizations spread over 100 countries

6 What is COPRA? When was it established?

1. In the year 1986 the government of India took a major step in the interest of consumers, which resulted in the enactment of consumer protection act popularly known as COPRA.
2. The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate departments of consumer affairs in central as well as state governments.
3. The COPRA also spells out the rights and duties of a consumer, as well as the rules and regulations, which a producer should follow.

7 What type of information should be given to the consumers about goods and services according to the act?

a) Ingredients used – Price - Batch number - Date of manufacture

b) Expiry date - Address of the manufacturer

c) Directions for use (In case of medicines) - Information relating to side effects

d) Risks associated with continuous usage Instructions for washing in case of garments. etc.

8 Discuss what safety rules should be observed by the producers?

1. Consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.

2. Producers need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations in case of products that require special attention to safety.

3. They have to inspect their goods for safety before selling them in the market use high quality material (Eg; manufacturers of safety valve of pressure cookers should check if it is ok, if it is defective it can be hazardous.)

9 Why do producers sell defective goods in the market?

1. There are certain goods, which require special attention to safety, which could be hazardous to life and property if defective. The action taken by the government as well as the public is not adequate.

2. The inspection and supervision of the safety rules is very weak hence the producers escape.

10 What are consumer forums? Explain their functions.

1. The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organizations locally known as consumer forums or consumer protection councils.

2. These are voluntary organizations, which receive financial support from the government for creating awareness among people. They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts.

3. They represent consumers in the consumer courts. They work as residential welfare associations. In case of unfair trade practices to their members they take up the case on the behalf of their members

11 Briefly explain the three-tier quasi- judicial machinery system under the COPRA.

1. Under the COPRA, three- tier quasi- judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

2. The district level court deals with the cases involving claims unto Rs20 lakhs. The state level courts deals with cases between 20 lakhs and one crore. National level court deals with cases involving claims exceeding one crore

3 If the case is dismissed in the district level court the consumer can appeal to the state an then the national level courts.

12 What are our duties as consumers?

1. We as consumers should become conscious of our rights.

2. While purchasing goods and services we should be able to discriminate and make informed choices.

3. We must acquire knowledge and skill to become a well-informed consumer.

13 What are the techniques used by copra to spread consumer awareness?

1. The enactment of copra has led to the setting up of separate departments of consumer affairs in central and state governments.

2. They use posters and advertisements through television channels.
Eg: JAGO GRAHAK JAGO

14 Explain the drawbacks of the consumer movement in India. OR

“Consumer movement in India is making very slow progress”. Explain.

1. The consumer redressal process is becoming cumbersome, expensive and time consuming.

2. Many a time consumers are required to engage lawyers; these cases require time for filling and attending the court proceedings.

3. In most purchases cash memos are not issued hence there is no evidence.

4. Most purchases in the market are small retail sales.

5. Existing laws regarding compensation in case of injury or defective products are not very clear.

6. Enforcement of laws to workers of unorganized sectors is very weak.

7. Rules and regulations for working markets are not followed.

8. Lack of voluntary effort and struggle in consumer participation

15 Name some of the logos, which you might have seen while buying certain commodities.

1. ISI—which stands for Indian Standards Institution (in case of electrical goods)

2. Agmark- (for food products)

3. Hallmark—(for gold)

4. ISO—(International Organization for Standardization)

16 What do these logos indicate? Is it compulsory for all the producers to have these logos?

1. The logos such as ISI, Hallmark, Ag- mark etc., give assurance to consumers of the quality and safety of the products they buy. No, it is not compulsory for all producers to have these logos.

2. It is mandatory only for certain producers who produce products which affect the health and safety of consumers such as- products of mass consumption.

3. Eg:- LPG, Food colours, additives, packaged drinking water, cement.

17 How do producers get their products certified with these logos?

1. There are certain organizations set up by the government, which permit the producers to use the logo on their products.

2. These organizations have developed quality standards and they look for these quality standards while certifying the products.

3. If satisfied with the product they certify the product, which is a legal permission to use these logos. What is the significance of 24th December?

• India has been observing 24, December as the national consumer‘s day; it was on this day that the Indian parliament enacted the consumer protection act in 1986.
 

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question. How does ‘Right to be Informed’ help consumers? Explain with an example.
Answer : According to this right, every consumer has the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. It is mandatory for the producers to provide complete information regarding their ingredients, date of manufacture, expiry date etc. to the consumers.
The details given on the packet help the consumers in many ways. Some of them are:
• If a consumer buys a product and finds it defective within the expiry period, he can ask for its replacement.
• It someone sells the good at more than the printed price on the packet, then a consumer can protest and ask for an explanation.
• On medicines, directions for proper use, warnings and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage are printed so that the consumers can take precautions accordingly.

Question. “There is a great need for acquiring knowledge and skill to become a well informed consumer.” Support the statement.
Answer : It is true that to be a conscious, well informed and vigilant consumer, there is a great need of acquiring knowledge and skill. A consumer must know how to deal with the shopkeeper while going to buy commodities. He must check the prices of the commodities written on the products, check the manufacturing date of the products so that the seller cannot cheat him by giving outdated commodities. He must know how to approach the consumer forum for addressing his grievances against the shopkeeper, if he has been cheated or if any unfair practice have been made by the shopkeeper.

Question. Explain with an example how one can use the “Right to Seek Redressal” against unfair trade practices and exploitation.
Answer : Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he or she has the right to get a compensation, depending on the degree of damage. There is need to provide an easy and effective public system by which this can be done.
For example, Pihu had sent a money order to her village for her sister’s marriage. The money did not reach her sister at the time when she needed it, nor did it reach months later. So, Pihu filed a case in the district level consumer court and practised her right to seek redressal.

Question. Consumers have the right to be informed about the goods and services they purchase. Explain its three advantages.
Answer : The advantages of the consumer’s right to be informed are:
• The consumers get complete information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision.
• The consumers would be able to understand the correct way of handling and using the product as some products need proper care.
• If the product is not found as per the information provided, it can be replaced well in time, thus avoiding hustle and worry.

Question. Describe the conditions in which markets do not work in a fair manner.
Answer : Markets do not work in a fair manner when:
• producers are few and powerful.
• consumers purchase in small quantities.
• consumers are scattered.

Question. “Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers are scattered and purchase in small amount.” Support the statement.
Answer : Markets do not work in a fair manner when:
• producers are few and powerful.
• consumers purchase in small quantities.
• consumers are scattered.

Question. Explain with examples ‘Right to Information’ to the consumers.
Answer : According to this right, every consumer has the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. It is mandatory for the producers to provide complete information regarding their ingredients, date of manufacture, expiry date etc. to the consumers.
The details given on the packet help the consumers in many ways. Some of them are:
• If a consumer buys a product and finds it defective within the expiry period, he can ask for its replacement.
• It someone sells the good at more than the printed price on the packet, then a consumer can protest and ask for an explanation.
• On medicines, directions for proper use, warnings and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage are printed so that the consumers can take precautions accordingly.

Question. “A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.” Support this statement with an example.
Answer : Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he or she has the right to get a compensation, depending on the degree of damage. There is need to provide an easy and effective public system by which this can be done.
For example, Pihu had sent a money order to her village for her sister’s marriage. The money did not reach her sister at the time when she needed it, nor did it reach months later. So, Pihu filed a case in the district level consumer court and practiced her right to seek redressal.

Question. Explain three factors which gave rise to consumer movement in India.
Answer : The factors that gave birth to Consumer Movement in India are:
• There was dissatisfaction among the consumers regarding unfair trade practices i being indulged by the producers and sellers.
• There was no legal system available for the protection of consumers from exploitation in the market place.
• Rampart food shortages, hoarding, black-marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil posed a threat to the consumers.
• The consumers were unaware about their rights. So, to educate and make them aware, consumer movement began.

Question. Explain any three factors which gave birth to the ‘Consumers movement’ in India.
                                                                  OR
“The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumer.” Justify the statement with arguments.
Answer : The factors that gave birth to Consumer Movement in India are:
• There was dissatisfaction among the consumers regarding unfair trade practices being indulged by the producers and sellers.
• There was no legal system available for the protection of consumers from exploitation in the market place.
• Rampart food shortages, hoarding, black-marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil posed a threat to the consumers.
• The consumers were unaware about their rights. So, to educate and make them aware, consumer movement began.

Question. Explain the role of three tier quasi-judicial set up for redressal of consumer disputes in India.
Answer : A three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national level, was set up under COPRA, for redressal of consumer disputes in India.
• At the district level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims up to 20 lakhs.
• At the state level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims between 20 lakhs and 1 crore.
• At the national level, consumer courts deal with cases involving claims exceeding 1 crore. If the case is dismissed at the district level, then the consumer can appeal at the state and then at the national level, if required.

Question. How does right to safety help consumers? Explain with an example.
Answer : Right to safety means that 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 and manufacturers should adhere to safety norms while manufacturing goods. There are many goods and services, that we purchase require special attention to safety.
For example, pressure cookers have a safety valve, which if defective can cause a serious accident. The manufacturers should ensure high standards and the consumers should read all the instructions given on the box of the pressure cooker.

Question. Explain the circumstances under which markets do not work in a fair manner.
Answer : Markets do not work in a fair manner when:
• producers are few and powerful.
• consumers purchase in small quantities.
• consumers are scattered.

Question. What is standardization of products? Mention any two organizations responsible for the standardization of products in India.
Answer : Standardization of products means developing quality standards for products that are directly related with the safety, health and well-being of the consumers. This help the consumers by giving assurance that the products they are buying for consumption are not hazardous for them.
The two organizations responsible for the standardization of products in India are Agmark (for eatables) and ISI (for electrical and electronic goods).

Question. Explain with an example how one can exercise the right to choose.
Answer : According to this right, a consumer has freedom to choose from a variety of products at competitive prices. This implies that the marketers should offer a wide variety of products in terms of quality, brand, prices, size etc. and allow the consumers to make a choice from amongst these.
For example, a consumer wants to buy a toothbrush but the shopkeeper says that he will sell the toothbrush only if the consumer will buy toothpaste. Such a situation is denial of right to choose.