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Right to Safety
Means right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services,
which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and
services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs, but also
fulfill long term interests. Before purchasing, consumers should insist
on the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the
products and services. They should preferably purchase quality marked
products such as ISI, AGMARK, etc
Right to be Informed
Means right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity,
standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair
trade practices. Consumer should insist on getting all the information
about the product or service before making a choice or a decision. This
will enable him to act wisely and responsibly and also enable him to
desist from falling prey to high pressure selling techniques.
Right to Choose
Means right to be assured, wherever possible of access to variety of
goods and services at competitive price. In case of monopolies, it means
right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.
It also includes right to basic goods and services. This is because
unrestricted right of the minority to choose can mean a denial for the
majority of its fair share. This right can be better exercised in a
competitive market where a variety of goods are available at competitive
prices
Right to be Heard
Means that consumer's interests will receive due consideration at
appropriate forums. It also includes right to be represented in various
forums formed to consider the consumer's welfare. The Consumers should
form non-political and non-commercial consumer organizations which can
be given representation in various committees formed by the Government
and other bodies in matters relating to consumers
Right to Seek Redressal
Means right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or
unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes right to fair
settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer. Consumers must
make complaint for their genuine grievances.Many a times their complaint
may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be
very large. They can also take the help of consumer organisations in
seeking redressal of their grievances.
Right to Consumer Education
Means the right to acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed
consumer throughout life.Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural
consumers, is mainly responsible for their exploitation. They should
know their rights and must exercise them. Only then real consumer
protection can be achieved with success.
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Rights of a
Consumer