Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Dr Bucho
Introduction
World Consumer Rights Day 2023: The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was passed by the Indian legislature in August 2019 to address issues connected to consumer rights violations, unfair business practices, deceptive advertising, and all other situations harmful to consumers’ rights. It is in the effect since July 2020. Customers have six fundamental rights protected by the Consumer Protection Act.
Even though World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is commemorated on March 15, India commemorates National Consumer Day or National Consumer Rights Day on December 24 every year because it was on this day that the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 gained the president’s assent. Consumer education regarding rights and obligations is the main goal of this day.
The UN General Assembly created World Consumer Rights day in 1985, and consumer organizations and consumer protection organizations all over the world commemorate it.
The theme of The World Consumer Rights Day 2023
“Clean Energy Transitions” is the theme of world consumer rights day 2023. The focus of this year’s subject is the benefits and difficulties brought about by the digital economy, including the need for cybersecurity, consumer data protection, and market openness and accountability.
On this day, organizations and agencies will arrange conferences, campaigns, and activities to inform consumers of their rights, encourage responsible consumption, and increase public knowledge of consumer protection-related topics. Consumers are urged to educate themselves more, take an active role in defending their rights, and report any instances of fraud or unfair business practices to the appropriate authorities.
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 Vs Consumer Protection Act, 2019
| Consumer Protection Act, 1986 | Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
|---|---|
| No exclusive definition. Section 2(1)(r) → Misleading advertisements can also be brought under this definition and can be treated as an unfair trade practice. | The term is defined exclusively and in detail in Section 2(28). According To this Definition, misleading advertisement means an advertisement that gives a false description or a false guarantee or misrepresentation or concealment of an information |
| False statement Misrepresentation | False description False guarantee Misrepresentation Deliberate concealment of important information |
| Section 14 empowers the court to issue directions including discontinuation of such advertisements. | Section 21 empowers the Central Authority to issue directions and penalties against false or misleading advertisements. A penalty of rupees 10 lahks is imposed on the advertiser. (Subsequent contravention – 50 lakh rupees); An endorser can be punished by prohibiting him from making any endorsement for the next twelve months(Subsequent contravention – 3 years) Unless such an endorsement was made with due diligence; A penalty of Rupees 10 Lakhs is imposed for publishing the advertisement unless such an act is done in the ordinary course. Section 89 is a penal provision that deals with the punishment to be awarded to the manufacturer for misleading advertisement which is up to a term of 2 years and a fine of up to 10 lakh rupees. (Subsequent contravention: Imprisonment upto a term of 5 years and fine upto 50 lakh rupees) |
6 Consumer Rights Every Indian Citizen Should Know
1. Right to Safety
Customers have a right to protection from products and services that could endanger their health or even their lives. This means that goods and services must be free of flaws that could endanger customers.
2. Right to Information
The quality, amount, potency, purity, standard, and price of the goods or services that consumers are acquiring must be disclosed to them. Also, any possible hazards connected to the good or service should be disclosed to them.
3. Right to be Heard
Consumers have the right to voice their complaints and request that businesses or regulatory agencies take them seriously. They ought to receive a prompt, just resolution to their grievances.
4. Right to Seek Redressal
Customers have the right to file a claim for damages if a product or service causes them harm. This covers reimbursements, product replacements, and payment for any resulting loss or harm.
5. Right to Consumer Education
Consumers have a right to receive information about their rights and obligations. This contains details on consumer protection legislation, product safety, and, if necessary, how to submit a complaint.
6. Right to Privacy
When it comes to their personal information, consumers have a right to privacy. Without the consumer’s consent, businesses should not acquire, use, or disclose personal information.
File A Complaint
How to file a Complaint under the new Consumer Protection Act 2019?
A Consumer Can file a Complaint in both forms whether it be offline at the District National Commission Office or on the web portal of the NCH app or UMANG app.
Process to file a consumer complaint in National Commission
- Consumer dispute resolution complaints with a value greater than Rs 10 crore shall be lodged directly with the commission. A consumer who feels wronged by a State Commission order may also appeal to the National Commission. Within 30 days of the day the State Commission’s order was issued, the appeal must be lodged.
- A demand draught in the name of the Registrar, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, must be used to pay the Rs. 5000 charges for contacting the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- Within one month of the date the National Commission’s order was passed, an appeal against it may be filed with the Supreme Court.
Process to file Online Consumer Complaint
- A consumer can file a complaint both offline and online. By creating an account on the national consumer helpline’s website, https://consumerhelpline.gov.in/, a consumer complaint can be submitted online. By providing the necessary information, including a password, contact information, name, and email, a complainant can register as a consumer.
- The customer can log in using their login information and passwords after registering. The customer should next click “register your complaint” fill out the complaint’s details and upload the necessary documentation. There are various complaint portals for various industries.
- After becoming a registered consumer, the complainant may also send a message to 8130009809 or phone the National Consumer Hotline at 1800-11-4000 to file a complaint.
- A complainant may also file a complaint using the NCH, Consumer, or UMANG app.
- Upon registration, the complainant will be given a special ID. The customer can follow the progress of his complaint with the aid of this particular ID.
- A consumer complaint’s required fee can be paid via an online payment gateway.
World Consumer Rights Day 2023 Quotes
1
“Your customer doesn’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
– Damon Richards
2
“The copyright bargain: a balance between protection for the artist and rights for the consumer.”
– Robin Gross
3
“Your customer’s perception is your reality.”
– Kate Zabriskie
4
“You are serving a customer not a life sentence; learn how to enjoy your work.” .
– Laurie McIntosh
5
“Our personal consumer choices have ecological, social, and spiritual consequences. It is time to re-examine some of our deeply held notions that underlie our lifestyles.”
– David Suzuki
6
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”
– Bill Gates
7
“A brand is nothing but an expression of the customer’s loyalty and trust.”
– Phil Dusenberry.
8
“Loyal customers, they don’t just come back, they don’t simply recommend you, they insist that their friends do business with you.”
– Chip Bell
9
“A satisfied customer is the best strategy of all.”
– Micheal Le Boeuf.
10
“Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production, and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer. “
– Adam Smith
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What rights does an Indian consumer Have?
According to the Consumer Protection Act 2019, The Indian consumer has rights that include
The right to value for money
Right to safety
Right to information
Right to choose
Right to consumer education, and
Right to representation
When is World consumer rights day celebrated?
World consumer rights day is celebrated on the 15th of march, while National consumer day is celebrated on the 24th of December
How can I File a complaint Under Consumer Protection Law?
A consumer can file a complaint under the consumer protection act 2019, in State commission offices or National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission via offline mode or through the online portal of the National Commission helpline https://consumerhelpline.gov.in/
What is the penalty for a misleading advertisement?
According to the Consumer Protection Act 2019, The penalty for misleading or false advertising is about ten lakhs or More
Thanks for alerting us about the consumer rights , as it is important now days
In this era of high technology and digital world , it is important for us consumers to know about the consumer rights that we have, thanks for alerting us