Know Your Consumer Protection Rights in India

In the modern economy and market, it is important for businesses to maintain transparency and ensure accountability in their actions. On the other hand, consumers must also know their rights. This can help maintain a balance in the free market economy. In the Indian Legal Regime, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 is the primary legislation drafted to protect consumers from various illegal practices, such as unfair trade practices, selling defective products and providing deficit services, designing misleading advertisements, and other kinds of exploitative practices. 

It is important to empower yourself by learning about your rights as a consumer to make informed choices and claim appropriate redressal for your grievances whenever needed. You can even file an online legal India consumer complaint if needed. Let’s delve deeper into consumer protection rights in India and consumer complaints.

Important Consumer Rights in India

The Consumer Protection Act 2019 deals with these essential consumer protection rights:

• Right to Safety: As a consumer, you have the right to safety regarding products or services that can be hazardous or dangerous to your life. Products sold by Indian sellers must be compliant with the safety standards of the Indian Government. These safety standards are regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. 
• Right to be Informed: Consumers have the right to receive complete information about the product they buy. Detailed product composition must be made available to consumers. Brands must reflect the quality, potency, quantity, purity, and cost of their goods and services. This helps customers make informed buying choices. 
• Right to Choose: This right is governed by the principle of choice. Customers must have access to various products and services, which helps them consider multiple products and then make choices. It avoids monopoly in the market and promotes fair trade practices. 
• Right to be Heard: Consumers can register grievances and provide opinions on defective products and services. This right allows them to file complaints whenever they face product- or service-related issues. This right can help consumers claim compensation and other relief for the breach of contract, loss, or injury they might have faced. 
• Right to Seek Redressal: Consumers can seek redressal for their grievances by filing consumer complaints online or with appropriate authorities. This right is corrective and helps consumers handle losses incurred due to a brand’s negligence. 
• Right to Consumer Education: Consumers have a right to gain knowledge and ensure awareness about their entitlements and duties. They also have the right to learn how to file complaints. Government authorities and consumer protection organizations usually conduct awareness-raising seminars to educate consumers. 

When Should You File a Consumer Complaint

Consumers face multiple issues while purchasing goods or availing services. Consumers who encounter such situations can file complaints against service providers, manufacturers, or sellers. An online consumer complaint can be filed in the following situations: 

• When the products are defective in nature or the services are deficient
• When the products are overpriced compared to general prices in the market
• In case of false advertisements released to promote products, even though the items or ingredients mentioned are not present in them
• When the providers or the sellers indulge in unfair or illegal trade practices
• When you find a deficiency in services
• When you come across hazardous goods and services that are potentially harmful to a person or property

It is usually advisable to contact the company or brand in question before filing complaints to amicably solve issues without entering into tenuous legal disputes and conflicts. 

Online Consumer Complaint Filing

Today, most people seek online redressal for their issues. Therefore, the government is moving towards online filing for most procedures. Consumers can file online complaints on the E-Daakhil Portal to make the process easy. On this platform, consumers can log in to the portal, select their court jurisdiction, fill in the details of their complaint, and submit the form. After that, they can track the status of their complaints online. 

Conclusion

The concept of consumer rights has evolved in India due to the dynamic nature of the Indian market. It is extremely important for consumers to know their rights and entitlements, and brands must be aware of their responsibilities to create a more accountable market environment.