Question

What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?

Answer 1

The enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA was the major legal step taken by the Government of India in 1986 to empower consumers in India.

COPRA Act, 1986

• Under COPRA there is a 3-tier quasi judicial machinery at the central level, state level and district level to protect the rights of consumers.
• Thus the Right to Represent in courts is given to the consumers by the COPRA Act.
• For cases involving claims exceeding Rs 1 crore, the National level court will deal with them.
• For cases involving claims between Rs 1 crore and Rs 20 Lakhs, the State Level Courts will deal with them.
• For cases involving claims upto Rs 20 lakhs, district courts will deal with them.
• If a case of a consumer is dismissed in district level court, then the consumer has the right to appeal in state and national level courts.
• Separate departments of Consumer Affairs were established in state and central governments after enacting the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA).

Use of Logos and Certifications

• Producers of products which are used for mass consumption or which can affect the safety and health of the consumers, must mandatorily get certified and use the logos such as ISI, Agmark, Hallmark, giving an indication of quality control to the consumers.
• Examples of such products are packaged drinking water, cement, food additives, food colors, LPG cylinders.

Expanding the Scope of Right to Information

• To have access to all the information about the functions of different government departments, the Government of India enacted a law named Right to Information (RTI) in 2005.
• It covers various services provided by the Government.
• For example, if candidates want to have clarity on the announcement of the results for the exams conducted by the Government, for admission into Government college, then the student can file RTI as he/she has the right to information as per the law.