A consumer is a person who buys a good or service. The meaning of consumer protection is — protection of the rights of the consumer. In the present era of free trade system, the private entrepreneurs are capable of exploiting consumers because of their economic strength. Hence, the government is required to make such
laws and acts (through planned means) as could enable the consumer to escape the wrath of the private entrepreneur. Besides, he can also make full use of the products and services provided by that private entrepreneur. The issue of consume protection was raised for the first time in Europe and the United States. Slowly, the grip of the law in both these nations became so strong that the supremacy of the consumer was established in every field. There was only one reason for this phenomenon—individual freedom in the western nations has already touch unseen peaks and the individual has a higher status than the society and the nation. Hence, a terrified and exploited consumer has great legal protection. It is a victory of democracy on all the issues. It is a direct evidence of the supremacy of human rights.
If we try to learn the meaning of consumer protection in real sense, then we would learn that consumers have many rights. Some of these rights are as follows:
(1) The right to state one’s viewpoint
(2) The right to select a product or service of one’s choice
(3) The right to know the price
(4) The right to know the details of quality
(5) The right to learn about t
he chief components (or parts) of the product
(6) The right to make one’s complaint
(7) The right to file a complaint before an official or judicial chair and get the compensation for the loss incurred due to the use of the product/service.
Most of the Indians are not even aware of consumer rights. After 1980 our consumers came to know about their rights after the initiation of the free market system of the West in India. By the arrival of the year 1990 some laws and Acts were passed. Consumer protection cells were also set up. Some magazines were also published, in which, the rights of consumers were described in the context of purchase and use of products, small and large. Many consumers also won legal battles and they were also given appropriate compensation by private firms. These firms manufacture products to earn money. Hence, they would have to ensure that the products: (a) should be available at a reasonable price; (b) its quality/measure should be accurate; (c) in the event of the product being defective, it should be taken back and the consumer should be given a new product in lieu of the same; and (d) the complaints of the consumer should be heard.
With the advent of the free market system into its full force, the concept of consumer protection would get more strength. In order to protect the interests of consumers, government institutions (like telephone, electricity, water and housing authorities) have started many a scheme to listen to the grievances of the common man and solve his problems. The consumer should contact the manufacturer or company if he has been cheated due to its product, or if he has been given wrong information with respect to its product. If that firm or producer does not attend to his complaint, then the consumer can file a complaint in the consumer protection cell. It should be remembered that the government of India has given many powers to these institutions. If one cannot get justice even in these institutions, then there is no harm in taking a legal action. It is hoped that consumer protection front would become powerful and active in All aspects in the modern era.