NCERT Solution for Class 10 Economics Ch 5 Consumer Rights
Exercises, Page - 87
1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace ? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer:
Modern age is the age of consumer origin. When we buy commodity or service and use we become consumers. Sometimes, shopkeeper cheats us in the process of buying by giving us poor quality of goods and services and charges more for a commodity or service than its actual price. This is called consumer exploitation. Consumer should be aware of this exploitation. It requires protection in the marketplace. This is why rules and regulations are required in the market place.
2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India ? Trace its evolution.
Answer:
Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in India in an organised form in the 1960s. Consumer Organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions till the 1970s. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and over - crowding in the road passenger transport. India witnessed more recently an upsurge in the number of consumer groups.
3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer:
The consumer consciousness lies in knowledge of the means and ways to prevent and take action against unfair and restrictive practices of manufacturers and sellers. Proposing consumer consciousness about the possible malpractices and providing them the tools to combat them is the only effective way to protect the rights of the consumers.
4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer:
The following are the major factors that cause exploitation of the consumers :
- Limited Information - In the absence of information about different aspects of the products the consumers are liable to make a wrong choice and lose money.
- Low Literacy - Illiteracy is one of the major drawbacks that leads to exploitation of consumers.
- Problem of Adulteration - Consumers are explaoited by making adulteration in costly edible items, like oil, ghee and spices in order to earn higher profits.
5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986 ?
Answer:
The Consumer Protection Act 1986 is enacted for the protection and promotion of consumer interests and do redress their grievances in a speedy, inexpensive and simple manner.
6. Describe some of your duties as consumer if you visit a shoping complex in your locality.
Answer:
Your duties as consumer are following :
- Consumer must know their rights and must exercise them.
- Whenever possible, consumers should ask for cash memo for the items purchased.
- Consumers must make complaint for their genuine grievances.
- They should preferably purchase quality marked products such as ISI, Agmark etc.
- Whenever possible, they also have to insist for the warranty card.
7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why ?
Answer:
A bottle of honey and a biscuit packet, both are agricultural products. So we will have to look Agmark. Agmark consists of standardisation of products.
8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India ?
Answer:
Following were the legal measures taken by the government to empower the consumers in India :
- Legislative Measure - The government enacted a specific law which is called Consumer Protection Act in 1986. This Act settles the disputes of the consumers grievances in speedy, simple and inexpensive manner. The most important feature of this Act is the provision for setting of three tier system popularly known as consumer courts at district, state and national level.
- Administrative Measure - This measure includes the Public Distribution System (PDS) which is expected to prevent hoarding, black-marketing and overchanging by the traders and manufacturers.
- Technical Measure - This measure consists of standardisation of products. In India this has been achieved through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) which was earlier known as Indian Standards Institution (ISI) which has the responsibility of laying down the standards for industrial and consumer goods on a scientific basis.
9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Answer:
The following are the rights of the consumers :
- Right to safety - The consumers have the right to be protected against marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property.
- Right to Information - This includes quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods.
- Right to choose - Assurance of access to variety of goods and services of competitive price.
- Right to be Heard - The consumer's interests should receive due consideration as appropriate forms relating to consumer welfare.
- Right to consumer Education - This includes knowledge about goods and issues relating to consumer welfare.
10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity ?
Answer:
After 20 years of the enactment of COPRA, consumer awareness in India is spreading but slowly. Besides this the enforcement of laws that protect workers, especially in the unorganised sectors is weak. Similarly rules and regualtions for working of markets are often not followed. Nevertheless there is scope for consumers to realise their role and importance. It is often said that consumer solidarity can be effective only with the consumer's active involvement. It requires a voluntary effort and struggle involving the participation of one and all.
11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Answer:
The consumer movement in India has made some progress in terms of number of organised groups and their activities. There are today more than 700 consumer groups in the country of which only about 20-25 are well organised and recognised for their work. However, the consumer redressal process is becoming cumbersome, expensive and time consuming. Many a time consumers are required to engage lawyers. These cases require time for filling and attending the court proceedings etc. It is often said that consumer movements can be effective only with the consumer's active involvement. It requires a voluntary effort and struggle involving the participation of one and all.
12. Match the following.
| (i) | Availing details of ingredients of a product | (a) | Right to safety |
| (ii) | Agmark | (b) | Dealing with consumer cases |
| (iii) | Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter | (c) | Certification of edible oil and cereals |
| (iv) | District Consumer Commission | (d) | Agency that develops standards for goods and services |
| (v) | Food fortification | (e) | Right to information |
| (vi) | Consumer International | (f) | Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations |
| (vii) | Bureau of Indian Standards | (g) | Addition of key nutrients to staple foods |
(i) Availing details of ingredients of a product - (e) Right to Information
(ii) Agmark - (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter - (a) Right to safety
(iv) District Consumer Court - (b) Dealing with consumer cases
(v) Consumers International - (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations
(vi) Bureau of Indian Standards - (d) Agency that develop standards for goods and services
13. Say True or False :
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(v) Hall mark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery.
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Answer:
(i) False
(ii) True
(iii) True
(iv) False
(v) True
(vi) True
(vii) True