Explain the following rights of consumers:

(i) The Right to safety;

(ii) The Right to consumer education; and

(iii) The Right to be heard.

(i) Right to Safety: It is the right to safety against such goods and services as are hazardous to health, life and property of the consumer. For example, spurious and sub-standard drugs; appliances made of low quality raw material, such as, electric press, pressure cooker, etc. and low quality food products like bread, milk, jam, butter, etc. Consumers have the right to safety against loss caused by such products.

(ii) Right to Consumer Education: Consumer education refers to educate the consumer constantly with regard to their rights. In other words, consumers must be aware of the rights they enjoy against the loss they suffer on account of goods and services purchased by them. Government has taken several measures to educate the consumers. For instance, Ministry of Civil Supplies publishes a quarterly magazine under the title “Upbhokta Jagran”. Doordarshan telecasts a programme like “Sanrakshan Upbhokta Ka” and apart from this, Consumer Day is observed on March 15 every year.

(iii) Right to be Heard: Consumer has the right that his complaint be heard. Under this right, the consumer can file a complaint against all those things which are prejudicial to his interest. First, their rights mentioned above (Right to Safety; Right to be Informed and Right to Choose) have relevance only if the consumer has the right to file his complaint against them. These days, several large organisations have set up Consumer Service Cells with a view to provide the right to be heard of the consumer. The function of the cell is to hear the complaints of the consumers and to take adequate measures to redress them. Many daily newspapers have also a special columns to entertain the complaints of the consumers.