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UNIT 12

CONSUMER PROTECTION
Protecting consumers from unpair trade practices, adopted by the producers
and/or sellers of goods and services is termed as consumer protection. It not
only includes educating consumers about their rights and responsibilities, but

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also helps in getting their grievances redressed.

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Importance of consumer protection from consumer s point of view :
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Consumers Ignorance : Majority of consumers are not aware of their
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rights and reliefs available to them as a result of which they are exploited.
In order to save consumers from exploitation, consumer protection is
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needed.
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2. Unorganised Consumers : In India consumers are still unorganised and

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there is lack of consumer organisations also, thus consumer protection is

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required.
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3. Widespread exploitation of Consumers : Consumers are exploited on

large scale by means of various unfair trade practices and consumer
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protection is required to protect them from exploitation.

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Importance of Consumer Protection from the Point View of Business

1. Long term business interest : It is always in the interest of the business
to keep its customer satisfied, Global competition could be win only after
satisfying customers. Satisfied customers lead to repeat sales and help in
increasing customer base of business.
2. Moral Justification : It is the moral duty of any business to take care
of consumer interest & avoid any form of their exploitation & unfair trade
practices like defective & unsafe products, adultration, false & misleading
advertising, hoardings black marketing etc.
3. Business uses society s resources : Every business uses the resources of
the society and thus it is their responsibility to work in the interest of
the society.
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4. Social Responsibility : A business has social responsibilities towards
various groups like owner, workers, government, customers etc. Thus,
customers should be provided qualitative goods at reasonable prices.
5. Government Intervention : If a business engage in any form of unfair
trade practices then government take action against it, which adversely
affect its goodwill.

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1986 (CPA, 1986)

Consumer protection Act 1986 was introduced to make consumers aware about
their rights and to give them legal protection. According to it consumer is

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defined as follows.

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1. Any person who buys any goods for a consideration It includes any user
of such goods with the approval of the buyer. But it does not include
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a person who obtains goods for resale or any commercial purpose.
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2. Any person who avails any services for a consideration. It includes any
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beneficiary of such services but it does not include a person who avails
such service for any commercial purpose.
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Rights of a Consumer
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Consumer protection Act, 1986 has provided six rights to the consumer, which
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are as follows:
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1. Right to Safety : Consumer has the right to be protected against products,

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& services which are hazardous to health & life (should use ISI marked
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electric products)
2. Right to be informed : Consumer has right to have complete information
about the product before buying it.
3. Right to choose : Consumer has a right to choose any product out of
the available products as per his own decision/liking.
4. Right to be heard : Consumer has the right to file a complaint & to be
heard in case of dissatisfaction with goods or services (use of grievance
cell)
5. Right to Seek Redressal : Consumer has the right to get relief in case
the product or service falls short of his expectations or is dangerous. He
may be provided with replacement / removal of defect / compensation
for any loss.
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6. Right to consumer education : Consumer has right to acquire knowledge
& to be well informed consumer throughout life. It make consumer aware
all the time.

Responsibilities / Duties of a Consumer

1. Consumer must exercise his right : Consumer must be aware of their
rights with regard to the product or services they buy from the market.
2. Consumer must be a cautions consumer : While buying a product or
services, a consumer should read labels carefully to learn about its every
minute detail.
3. Consumer must file a complaint in a appropriate forum in case of any

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shortcoming in product / service availed.

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4. Consumer must insist on cash memo ; i.e. a proof of purchase & required
to file a complaint. y.
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5. Consumer must be a quality conscious : He should ask / look for ISI
mark on electric goods. FPO mark on food products, Hall mark on
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jewellery etc.
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6. Consumer must bring the discrepancy in the advertisement to the notice

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of the sponsor.
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THE SALIENT FEATURES AND PROVISIONS OF

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CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1986

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Why was consumer protection act, 1986 enacted

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To protect & promote the interests of the cousumers by providing various

rights to them.
Under what circumstances complaints can be filed ?
Frandulent practices of traders & manufactures.
Goods are defective
Any deficiency in the services hired.
Redressal agencies under the consumer Protection Act 1986.
District forum
State Commission

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National commission

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Within what period the complaint must be filed ?
With in 3 months of purchase & if some testing of goods is required then
with in 5 months.
Who can file a complaint.
Any consumer
Any registered consumer association.
Central / State Govts.
Legal heir / representation of a a deceased customer.

Relief Available to Consumers (Remedies)

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1. To remove the defect in goods or services.

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2. To replace the defective product with a new one free from defect.
3.
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To refund the price paid for the product/Service.
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4. To pay compensation for the loss or injury suffered by the consumer due
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to product/Service.
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5. To discontinue the unfair trade practice & not to repeat them.

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6. To withdraw the hazardous goods from sale.

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Role and Functions of Consumer Organisation & NGOs.

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1. Educating the general public about consumer right by organising training

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programmes, seminars and workshops.

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2. Publishing periodical & other publications.

3. Providing Legal assistance to consumers.
4. Producing films or cassettes on food adultration, misuse of drugs etc.
5. Filing complaints in appropriate consumer courts on behalf of consumers.

Ways And Means of Consumer Protection.

1. Government : Protcts the interest of consumers by enacting various
legislations like CPA 1986, Sale of goods Act 1930, Bureau of Indian
Standard 1986 etc. Consumer Protection Act provides for a three-tier
machinery at the district, state & national level for speedy & inexpensive
redressal of consumer grievances.

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2. Consumer Organisation : Force business firms to avoid malpractices &
exploitation of consumers.
i) e.g. Consumer coordination council, Delhi.
ii) Common cause, Delhi
iii) Consumers Association, Kolkata.
iv) Mumbai Grahak Panchyat, Mumbai etc.
3. Business Association : The associations of trade, commerce & business
like federation of Indian Chambers of commerce (FICCI) & Confederation
of Indian Industries (CII) have laid down their code of conduct for their
members in their dealings with the customers.

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IMPORTANT QUESTIONS :

1 marks
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1. What are the two aspect of consumer prolection?
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(Hint - Educating consumers & Redressal of their grievances)

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2. Give one example of consumer exploitation?

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(unsafe products / Black marketing)

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3. Name any two legitalations which provide protection to consumers

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(Hint : (i) CPA 1986, The Essential Commodities Act 1955)

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4. Mention any two ways & means of consumer protection.

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(Hint - Consumer organisation & Govt.)

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5. Which mark is issued under the Bureau of Indian Standard Act 1986 ?
(Hint : ISI)

3/4 Marks Questions

6. Explain the role of Universities & schools in counsumer protection?
7. Explain briefly the silent features of consumer protection Act 1986?

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UNIT 13

PROJECT WORK

Introduction :
A project means an activity which has a special purpose and which is

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performed with absolute devotion and enthusiasm

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Project work assigned to the students whether individually or in groups. It
has two types as
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1. Visit of a Industrial unit as Bank, Stock Exchange or a mall.
2. Case study of a product as packing, branding and labelling.
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Objects of a Project
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1. Providing deep knowledge to the students

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2. Developing Creativity in the students

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3. Developing independent thinking skill in the student.

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4. To convert theoretical knowledge into practical knowledge.

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Steps in Project Work

1. Selection of topic or problem
2. Define the problem.
3. Setting objectives of the problem.
4. Preparing questionnaire.
5. Conducting enquiry
6. Collect information and Data
7. Editing the information or data
8. Analysing the Data or Information
9. Preparing the Report
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The marks will be allocated on the following head by C.B.S.E.
1. Inititative, cooperativeness and participation 1 Mark
2. Creativity in presentation 1 Mark
3. Context, observation and research work 2 Marks
4. Analysis of situations 2 Marks
5. Viva 4 Marks
Total 10 marks

Some Content of the Project :

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1. Principles of Management :

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1. Division of work
2. Unity of Command y.
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3. Unity of direction
4. Remuneration to employees
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5. Scalar chain
6. Functional foremanship
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7. Time study
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8. Motion study
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9. Fatique study.
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2. Business Environment :
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1. Effect of New Industrial Policy

2. New Trade Policy
3. Orginisation :
1. Departmentalization
4. Staffing :
1. On the Job Training
2. Off the Job Training

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5. Financial Management :
1. Stock Exchange
(A) B.S.E. (B) N.S.E.
2. Trading procedure on stock exchange.
3. Procedure of opening the following A/c, saving A/c, Trading A/c,
D Mat A/c
6. Marketing Management :
1. Branding
2. Labelling

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3. Packaging

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4. Types or levels of channel of distrubution
5. Methods of Sales promotion y.
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7. Consumer Protection :
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1. Advertisement of the ISI Mark, Hall Mark, Agmark.

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