National Consumer Rights Day
The National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on December 24 every year to highlight the importance of consumer movement and the need to make consumers more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
The National Consumer Rights Day was observed for the first time in 1986 under the Consumer Protection Act. It’s different from the World Consumer Day, which is celebrated annually on March 15.
The National Consumer Rights Day is observed to create awareness among consumers against market exploitation such as difference in prices and purchasing defective products. The Consumer Protection Act came into force in 1986.
The major objectives of the Consumer Protection Act 1986 are:
Rights to protect against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.
Rights to be informed about the quality, quantity, price and purity of the goods and services, to avoid unfair trade practices
Rights to be assured of the access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices
Rights to seek redressal against unfair trade practices or restrictive trade practices
Rights to consumer education.
In 2019, the Consumer Protection Act 1986 was revised. Later, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution announced the CPA 2019 bill put to effect on July 20, 2020.
December 24 is celebrated annually in India as National Consumer Rights Day, also called National Consumer Day, to commemorate December 24, 1986, when the Consumer Protection Act received assent of the President of India. The purpose of the day is to make consumers aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Who is a consumer: A consumer is anyone who purchases goods or services, and pays for it in return.
Consumer Rights in India: Consumer Protection Act guarantees six basic rights to consumers: right to choose the product; right to be protected from all kinds of hazardous goods; right to be informed about the performance and quality of all products; right to be heard in all decision-making processes related to consumer interests; right to seek redressal, whenever consumer rights have been infringed; right to complete consumer education.
Events on National Consumers Day: Each year, the day is celebrated under a specific theme. The Union government, in partnership with the state government, conducts events on consumer awareness. Often, such events feature skits and plays highlighting a customers’ rights. In 2019, a virtual seminar was organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs to explain the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
Warm Regards
Team KLA Legal Aid Clinic and Services