Ans) The need for making the consumer aware is clear from the following:

1. To achieve maximum satisfaction- The income of every person is limited. He wants to buy more goods and services from his income. Only by this, he gets complete satisfaction. Therefore it is necessary that he gets the goods according to the correct measurement and there should be no fraud with him. For this it is necessary to make him aware.
2. Avoiding exploitation of producers- Producers and sellers exploit consumers in many ways such as weighing less, charging more, not receiving bills, adulteration, counterfiet goods etc. Even big companies mislead consumers with their advertisements. Consumer awareness only saves them from exploitation by producers and sellers.
3. Promotion of Savings- Awareness prevents people from extravagance and wastage of money and motivates them to take right decisions. Such consumers are not trapped to the here of sale, discounts, free gifts, attractive packing etc. This allows them to use their income properly and get succeed in saving.
4. Knowledge to Solve Problems- In the absence of education, knowledge and awareness, the consumer class gets cheated. Therefore,it is necessary that the consumers should be made aware of their rights so that they are not cheated by the producers and sellers. Through consumer awareness, they are also made aware of the legal process so that they can solve their problems.

Ans) Consumer Protection Act: The making of the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 is a milestone in the consumer movement of the country. This act is popularly known by the name of COPRA. The main objective of this law is to quickly solve the consumer complaints and to simpify the legal process. A three tier judicial system has been established at the district, state and national levels for settlement of consumer disputes under COPRA. The District Level Authority called District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission deals with the cases involving claims up to 1 crore, the state-level Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions called State Commission between 1 crore and 10 crore and the national- level commission National Commission-deals with cases involving claims exceeding ₹ 10 crore.

Ans) While buying a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet, we will see the logo of ‘AGMARK’ because this logo helps us to get assured of quality of agricultural products.

Ans) There are two departments in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and the Department of Food and Public Distribution and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Due to the need to create a separate department for the promotion of the emerging consumer movement in the country, one of the two departments of the ministry has been given to the Department of Consumer Affairs, this department was made as a separate department in 1997.

The department has been assigned the following responsibilities-Internal trade, Essential Commodities Act 1955, Prevention of Black Market, Essential Commodities Supply Act 1980, control of packed goods, training in legal metrology, consumer societies etc.

Ans) In the age of capitalism and globalisation the main aim of every producer is to maximize his profit. Manufacturers are engaged in increasing the sales of their product in every possible way. So, while fulfilling their purpose, they forget the consumer part and exploit them. For example, weighing less, charging higher price, selling adulterated and defective goods, misleading consumers by giving false advertisements etc. Thus, it is necessary to make the consumer aware so that he cannot be cheated in the market. Thus, consumer awareness refers to making the consumer aware of his rights and duties.

Ans) Consumer awareness helps in controlling anarchy and harmful consumption in following ways:-

1. Ban on the use of harmful goods-There are many such items available in the market which harm some customers. For example, tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol can be taken. Consumer education and awareness inspire not to buy such items.
2. Control on anarchy-Every person in the society is a consumer. Therefore, if the consumer is aware and prudent, then the whole society becomes healthy and conscious of their rights. In such a situation, there is control over the anarchy in the society.

Ans) The government of India has constituted some such institutions which certify the quality of the goods. For Industrial and consumer goods ISI mark is given. To avoid the fraud, consumers should use the items with this mark.

Ans) The right to redressal -The customer has the right to redress for compensation against unfair bargaining and exploitation. It can be easily understood  with the help of an example. A person was admitted to a private hospital in Kerala for removal of tonsils. An ENT surgeon performed the operation under general anaesthesia. As a result of improper unconsciousness, the person got symptoms of some brain abnormalities because of which he was crippled for life.

The consumer redressal committee found the hospital responsible for medical negligence and directed to pay compensation. It is thus clear that if any damage is caused to the consumer, then he is liable to be compensated on the basis of the amount of damage.

Ans) The consumers can express their solidarity in following ways:-

1. By forming a consumers union.
2. The consumer movement can be effective only through consumer’s active participation.
3. For this, a voluntary effort is required and a struggle involving the participation of all.
4. Buy filing a complaint in the consumer court.
5. By jointly raising voice against fraud companies.

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