Question based Annamalai University MBA BL Assignment Solution and other course
Answer:
The salient features of the Act are as follows:
- The Act applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted by the Central Government.
- It covers all the sectors i.e. Public, Private and Co-operative
- The provisions of the Act are chiefly compensatory in nature.
- It seeks to confer upon the consumers the following six rights:
- Right to Safety: It is the right of the consumer to be protected against the marketing of goods and services by unscrupulous sellers, which are potentially hazardous to life and property. The goods purchased and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also fulfill long term interests.
- Right to be Informed: This refers to the entitlement of the consumer to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and prices of goods so as to protect the buyer against unfair trade practices. A consumer should insist on getting all the information about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This will enable him/ her to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to desist from falling prey to high pressure and misleading selling techniques.
- Right to Choose: It is the right of the consumer to be assured, as far as possible, of access to a variety of goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it implies the right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair and reasonable price.
- Right to be Heard: This implies that consumer’s interest will receive due consideration at appropriate forum. it also includes the consumer’s liberty to be represented in various forum constituted for consumer welfare.
- Right to Seek Redressal: This refers to the privilege of the consumer to seek compensation against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation. Is also includes the right to fair settlement of genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumer can also take the help of consumer organizations in seeking redressal of their grievances.
- Right to Consumer Education: This refers to the entitlement of the consumer to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed buyer throughout his/ her life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural folk, is the main cause of their exploitation. They should know their rights and must exercise them.
- The Act also envisages establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the Central, State and District Levels, whose main objectives will be to promote and protect the rights of consumers
- To provide a simple, speedy and inexpensive redressal of consumer grievances, the Act envisages three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the National, State and District levels. There are National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission known as National Commission, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission known as State Commissions and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums known as District Forums.
- Engagement of an advocate is not mandatory to file a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act.
It is worth mentioning that the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 are in addition to, and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. The Act has not overridden or repealed any of the legislation in force prior to this Act.
