Six rights as a consumer you should know on National Consumer Rights Day

National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on 24th December every year to raise awareness about consumer rights. The theme of this year is “Consumer Protection in the era of E-Commerce and Digital Trade.”

On the occasion of National Consumer Rights Day, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Piyush Goyal, posted on X, "CONSUMER IS THE KING! Under the leadership of PM @NarendraModi ji, India has ushered in a new era of 'Consumer Empowerment & Prosperity.'On this #NationalConsumerDay, Modi Govt. reaffirms its commitment to empowering consumers and safeguarding their rights. Let us together celebrate responsible consumption & the power of informed choices #JagoGrahakJago"

History
The initial Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) was introduced in the year 1986. However, it was replaced by the new Consumer Protection Act in 2019, after the bill was passed in the parliament.

Consumer Rights

The six fundamental rights of the Consumer Protection Act are:

1) Right to Safety
This right assures you to be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are either perilous to life or property. The right gurantees the consumer with protection for a long term. Before purchasing any goods or availing any services, consumers should insist on the quality as well as on the guarantee offered by the seller. They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI, AGMARK, Hallmark etc

2) Right to be informed
It means you as consumer, have the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services so as to protect the consumer against the unfair trade practices by the seller. Consumer should be fully satisfied with the information provided to him by the seller about the product or service before making any purchase.

3) Right to Choose
This right assures that consumer has the right to choose from a variety of goods and services offered to him by multiple sellers at competitive prices.

4) Right to be Heard
This right assures the consumer to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. The consumers can take up their complaints against the seller in the forums designated by the government, to resolve their problems.

5) Right to seek  redressal
This right helps the consumer to seek redressal against unfair trade practices by the seller or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It includes right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer.

6) Right to Consumer Education
It means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Thge most important is that the consumer should know about their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer protection can be achieved.