Consumerism
In a free economy, consumers are regarded as kings and queens, but in
reality they are the least important persons. Sellers exploit buyers by
adopting unfair trade practices such as adulteration, misbranding, poor
quality, short weights and measures, deceptive packaging, false advertising,
hoarding and black marketing. Consumer exploitation and the resulting
dis-satisfaction is the root cause of consumerism in India. Consumerism
(consumer movement) stresses the cooperative effort by consumers themselves to
protect their rights and interest in the market place against unfair trade practices.
'Consumerism may be described as organization and united activities of
consumers in response to consumer dis-satisfaction arising from exchange
relationship between buyers and sellers'.
Consumerism is an attempt to make the market work better.
Objectives of
Consumerism
1.
To restore the balance in the buyer seller
relations in the market place.
2.
To protect consumers from unfair trade
practices.
3.
To safeguard consumer rights.
4.
To represent consumer problems to the government
and pressurize government to provide consumer protection by legislation.
5.
To organize consumer resistance against business
malpractices.
6.
To undertake programme of consumer education to
create awareness among consumers regarding business malpractices.
7.
The consumer movement has been totally absent in
the past and at present is growing extremely slowly in India for number of
reasons.
8.
Reasons for Slow Growth of Consumer Movement in
India
9.
Absence of general awakening in consumers
10.
Poverty
11.
Illiteracy
12.
Ignorance
13.
Lack of consumer education and guidance
14.
Vast country and big population
15.
Unfavourable attitude of government and
political leaders.
16.
General passive attitude of consumers against
malpractices of traders.
Role of Consumer
Organisation
Consumers need a voluntary consumer protection
and consumer guidance agency for adequate information in the purchase of
consumer goods. The consumer organisation create greater awareness among
consumers about various business malpractices. Consumer organisation educate
consumers how to become better consumers, provide information about product
safety, knowledge of protective laws and protective agencies of consumer
interests through mass media like television, radio and annual exhibition.
Consumer Guidance
Society of India [CGSI]
It is one of the leading consumer organisation in India. It is a
voluntary, non-profit, non-political organisation established in 1966 by 9
housewives and few social workers to unite the Indian consumers in a strong
enduring movement. Today it is the leading consumer organisation with
representatives at central and state bodies. The society takes up consumer
complaints, fights all kinds of complaints, and gives information through its
monthly publications to create awareness among consumers.
Consumer Court
The consumer protection Act, 1986 provides for better protection of
rights and interests of consumer. If there is a dispute between the buyer and
the seller for settlement and redressal of grievances, it can be done through
consumer rederssal forums and commissions. But it is always better to make an
attempt with the manufacturers or seller before approaching the redressal forum
or commission.
For redressal there are quasi-judicial machinery at three levels. They
are
1.
Consumer dispute redressal forum at the district
level for settlement of complaints claiming compensation upto 5 lakhs.
2.
Consumer dispute redressal commission at the
state level for settlement of complaints claiming compensation between 5 lakhs
and 20 lakhs.
3.
National consumer redressal commission at the
national level for settlement of complaints claiming compensation above 20
lakhs.
4.
The district forum is established by the state
government in each district. This consists of a person who is qualified to be
the judge of a district court and two other members, one of whom shall be a
lady social worker. Every member shall have a tenure of five years with age
limit of 65 years.
5.
The following points needs to be remembered when
one is filing a complaint
6.
Complaint can be made out on an ordinary paper.
No court fee stamps or revenue stamp are necessary.
7.
The petition which is sent to consumer redressal
forum should contain -
8.
Name and address of complainant.
9.
The name and address of person against whom the
complaint is made.
10.
Complaint details.
11.
Complainants claim.
12.
If one is not satisfied with the order of the
district or state commission, they can appeal to the state or national
commission respectively even if the value of the complaint is less.
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