ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals and organizations. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of them. I am highly indebted to

Mr.ASHUTOSH for their

guidance and constant supervision as well as for providing necessary information regarding the project & also for their support in completing the project. I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents for their kind co-operation and encouragement which help me in completion of this project. My thanks and appreciations also go to my colleague in developing the project and people who have willingly helped me out with their abilities.

CONTENT Introduction Importance of consumer protection Consumer rights and responsibilities Ways and means of consumer protection Role of consumer organizations

INTRODUCTION:
The Consumer Protection Act 1986 is a social welfare legislation which was enacted as a result of widespread consumer protection movement. The main object of the legislature in the enactment of this act is to provide for the better protection of the interests of the consumer and to make provisions for establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for settlement of consumer disputes and matter therewith connected. In order to promote and protect the rights and interests of consumers, quasi judicial machinery is sought to be set up at district, state and central levels. These quasi judicial bodies have to observe the principles of natural justice and have been empowered to give reliefs, of specific nature and also to impose penalties for non compliance of the orders given by such bodies. The main object of these bodies is to provide speedy and simple redressal to consumer disputes. It is one of the benevolent pieces of legislation intended to protect the consumers at large from exploitation. The act was passed in Lok Sabha on 9th December,1986 and Rajya Sabha on 10th December, 1986 and assented by the President of India on 24th December, 1986 and was published in the Gazette of India on 26th December, 1986. This act was enacted in the 37th year of the Republic of India and was amended from time to time in the following years i.e. 1991, 1993 and 2002. An act to provide for better protection of the interests of consumers and for that purpose to make provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumer disputes and for matters connected therewith.

IMPORTANCE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION:

(1)To Organize Consumers: Indian consumers are scattered over a wide geographical area. They are not well organized. They have a low power and businessmen exploit consumers. Here we need consumer protection. (2) Provide Market Information: Majority of the consumers has no information about quality, type, price and other marketing facilities. Many customers buy without product knowledge and this make them suffer losses. (3) Importance of Physical Safety: Indian markets are over flooded with products. The products may be adulterated and may be health hazardous. This may endanger their life and due to this a consumer needs to be protected. (4) Avoiding Monopoly: Consumer Protection is very important in terms of avoiding monopoly. Monopoly is the crown of modern market. Most of the organizations, irrespective of various restrictions follow monopoly practice. Due to this consumers get affected and needs to be protected. (5) Prevention from Malpractices: Business malpractices are rapidly growing in modern market. Businessmen follow unfair trade practices, restrictive trade practices and monopolistic trade practice and consumer protection plays a vital role. (6) Avoiding Pollution: Pollution is very serious issue taken by every country. Pollution affects the mind and health of not only consumers but also citizens. It is important to avoid pollution to save society at large from pollution. (7) Misleading Advertisements: Many organizations deliberately cheat consumers through wrong or misleading advertisements. This will protect consumers from getting exploited. (8) Informing Consumers about their Basic Rights: Majority of the consumers are ignorant. They do not know about consumer rights. Consumer movements inform consumers about their rights and protect their interest and rights.

CONSUMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Rights1. The 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. 2. The right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trades practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. 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 organizations in seeking redressal of their grievances. 3. The right to be heard and be assured that consumer interest will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. 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.

4. The right to be assured of access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices, wherever possible. 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. 5. The right to be informed about the quality, quantity, etc. of goods and services, so as to be protected from unfair trade practices. 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. 6. The right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services that are hazardous to life and property. 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.

Responsibilities

Take responsibility for maximizing healthy habits, such as exercising, not smoking, and eating a healthy diet. Become involved in specific health care decisions. Work collaboratively with health care providers in developing and carrying out agreed-upon treatment plans. Disclose relevant information and clearly communicate wants and needs. Use the health plan's internal complaint and appeal process to address concerns that may arise. Avoid knowingly spreading disease. Recognize the reality of risks and limits of the science of medical care and the human fallibility of the health care professional. Be aware of a health care provider's obligation to be reasonably efficient and equitable in providing care to other patients and the community. Become knowledgeable about his or her health plan coverage and health plan options (when available) including all covered benefits, limitations and exclusions, rules regarding use of information, and the process to appeal coverage decisions. Show respect for other patients and health workers. Make a good-faith effort to meet financial obligations. Abide by administrative and operational procedures of the health plans and health care providers. Report wrongdoing and fraud to appropriate resources or legal authorities.

WAYS AND MEANS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION:

SELF REGULATION BY BUSINESS: Responsible organizations try to find solution to the grievances and problems of their customers in advance. This is really appreciable if the business becomes self-disciplined. BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS: FICCI and CII have specified certain guidelines which their members are expected to follow while dealing with customers. CONSUMER AWARENESS: A customer can oppose or take action against any unfair trade practice if he is aware of his rights and responsibilities. An understanding of his responsibilities would enable a consumer to safeguard his interests. CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS: These organizations can compel the business firms to comply with the moral code of conduct of business and avoid unfair trade practices. They also educate the customers. GOVERNMENT: The government has enacted a specific law called the Consumer Protection Act in 1986. The Act provides for the establishment of Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies at District, State and National levels for the protection and promotion of consumer interests and to redress their grievances in a speedy, simple and inexpensive manner.

ROLE OF CONSUMER ORGANISATIONS:

ROLE OF NGOs: NGOs are those organizations which aim at promoting the welfare of the people with non-profit concept. NGOs dealing with consumers grievances are also known as consumer associations. They are taking up various aspects of consumer exploitation. These consumer associations are performing, among others, a number of functions concerning consumer affairs. CONSUMER CO-ORDINATING COUNCILS: It has been conducting several programmes on consumer education for activists and others. ROLE OF THE PRESS: Apart from publishing articles, columns, etc. newspapers have also tried to come to the rescue of harassed consumers. For instance, the Indian Express was one of the first newspapers to start a consumer complaint column. In many cases, the results were published and consumers were able to get their grievances settled. ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES/SCHOOLS: IGNOU has made a beginning by developing a comprehensive syllabus which provides the basic framework for other universities to develop a curriculum for consumer education.

CONCLUSION

This project was undertaken to know about the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Consumer Protection Act of 1986 is an Indian federation law enacted in 1986 to protect interests of consumers in India. It makes provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumers' disputes and for matters connected therewith.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.legalhelpindia.com/consumerprotection-act.html

http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resource s/128900-Importance-Consumer-Protection.aspx

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/a rticle/001947.htm

http://goagrahak.nic.in/rightsduties.htm