In India , only 20% of consumers are aware of the consumer protection law & just 42% of them have heard about consumer rights, a new study has said.
Consumer is King..!
Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr.K V Thomas said, "We proclaim consumer is king. Unfortunately, larger section of society does not know about their rights. Even if educated consumers take their complaints to dealers or shop owners, they are asked to go to makers of the products:
According to a study jointly conducted by NGO CUTS International and Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry. "Only nearly 20% of consumers in India are aware of the Act even after 25 years of its existence. It is the best known act followed by Weights & Measures Act, 1976 and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006,"
Sharing his personal experience as a consumer, the minister Mr.K V Thomas said: "I purchased a car recently. But the car that was delivered to my place had scratches. When the dealer was asked to replace it, he asked my assistant to go directly to the manufacturer. Later, he realised that I am a minister & replaced the car. Not everybody can be a minister."
Since justice is delayed in consumer courts, Mr. Thomas suggested that organisations like CUTS should play an important role in addressing the consumer grievances faster.
Consumer Protection law..!
* The central government has enacted the Consumer Protection law way back in 1986 to protect consumer interest & settle disputes at the central, state and district levels.
* Only nearly 14% consumers are aware about the proposed Food Security Act. The awareness is the highest in northern region & the lowest in eastern region.
* Just 42% have heard about consumer rights & almost 50% of consumers are not even aware about government's 'Jago Grahak Jago' campaign, the study said.
* Considering the fact that five (5) years ago only about 18% were aware about the Act, the study said expressing concern that people are gradually losing trust on consumer redressal mechanisms.
* The study, conducted in 19 states & three (3) union territories with a sample size of 11,499, was undertaken in the backdrop of the completion of 25% of the Consumer
* Although consumers have right to rederessal, the study revealed that about 93% of respondents have never made a 'formal complaint', while only 3% have registered their grievances with the company or producer.
* On quality issue of consumer products, the study said that "even in modern India, about 40% of consumers do not refer to any safety or quality certification such as ISI, ISO, Agmark, Codex before making a purchase.
* Although safety has been dealt in minimum 25 different Indian Acts, what is lacking is periodic monitoring mechanism to ensure that the rules are being implemented to minimise risk.
* Stating that the choices available to consumers across the availability of goods & services have multiplied ever since the reforms of early 1990s, the survey showed.
* Only 1.6% of respondents were able to correctly name at least one product or service that has only one or / two producers or / providers.
* Poor implementation of government policies and laws is another impediments to the right to choice.
* The study suggested steps for massive awareness campaigns and information dissemination among the consumers about the existing legal remedies available to them.
The success of consumer movement will depend on consumer awareness..!
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