CONSUMER RIGHTS AWARENESS BLOG.

Difficulties to protect consumer rights in a global market:

Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the market place. I find that it is difficult to protect consumer rights as very often individuals find themselves in a weak position after informing sellers of a complaint regarding a good or service that had been bought, the seller tries to shift all responsibility on to the buyers. showing attitude such as- "If u don't like what you bought, you can but it from somewhere else". Exploitation in the marketplace happens in various ways. For example, sometimes traders indulge in unfair trade practices such as when shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add charges that were not mentioned before, or when adulterated/defective goods are sold. Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered. This happens especially when large companies are producing these goods. These companies with huge wealth, power and reach can manipulate the market in various ways.

  At times false information is passed on through the media, and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims. Similarly, a long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers.

What do you know about ‘JAGO GRAHAK JAGO’ MULTIMEDIA CAMPAIGN? 

With the focus on empowering consumers, the government implemented an innovative and intensive multimedia campaign, "Jago Grahak Jago (Wake up Consumer)" to create consumer awareness in the country. Under ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ — a consumer affairs ministry initiative started in 2005 — the government uses print media advertisements, audio and video campaigns to educate consumers about rules regarding sales and purchase — like the definition of maximum retail price (MRP), for instance — and help them make an informed choice about products.

Consumer protection initiatives by the government hinges on three basic parameters. Ensuring a legal framework that comprises of Consumer Protection Act. Secondly, evolving standards for different products to enable the consumers to make an informed choice about different products. Thirdly, consumer awareness and education is the main building block for consumer protection. As a part of joint publicity campaign, various advertisements have been released on specific consumer issues like real estate, insurance, credit cards, pharmaceuticals, food safety etc to educate consumers. 

CONSUMER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN