Consumer Rights: Protection Against Unfair Practices of the Trade

Abstract

The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and several other laws like the Weights, Standards & Measures Act can be formulated to make sure that there is fair competition in the market and the free flow of correct information of goods and service providers to the ones who consume them. In fact, the degree of consumer protection in any country is regarded as the right indicator of the progress of the country. There is a high level of sophistication gained by the goods and service providers in their marketing and selling practices and different types of promotional tasks viz. Advertising resulted in an increasing requirement for more consumer awareness and protection. The government of India has realized the condition of Indian consumers therefore the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has incorporated the Department of Consumer Affairs as the nodal organization to protect the consumer rights, redress the consumer grievances and promote the standards governing goods and services provided in India. These rights were conceptualized in the developed world's consumer context where consumers are wealthy and completely dependent on the market to fulfill their needs. These rights had to be redefined keeping in mind the realities of a developing country like India.