NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science (Economics) Chapter 5 (Consumer Rights)

NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science Economic 
(Understanding Economic Development)

The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 10 Social Science – Economic (Understanding Economic Development) Chapter – 5 (Consumer Rights) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise. 

Chapter – 5 (Consumer Rights) 

Exercises 

1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer – Rules and regulations are required in the marketplace to protect consumers. Sellers often abdicate responsibility for a low-quality product, cheat in weighing out goods, add extra charges over the retail price, and sell adulterated/ defective goods. Hence, rules and regulations are needed to protect the scattered buyers from powerful and fewer producers who monopolise markets. For example, a grocery shop owner might sell expired products, and then blame the customer for not checking the date of expiry before buying the items.

2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Answer – The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are as follows:

  • Lack of legal system to protect the consumers from exploitation in the marketplace
  • Extreme food shortages
  • Black marketing
  • Adulteration of food and edible oil

Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were mostly busy writing articles and holding exhibitions. There has been an upsurge in the number of consumer groups who have shown concern towards the value of goods and services since the 1980s. In 1986, the Indian government enacted the Consumer Protection Act, also known as COPRA. This was a major step in the consumer movement in India. There are today more than 700 consumer groups in the country who are working in the field of protecting the consumers’ interest.

3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer – There is a need for consumer consciousness so that the buyers themselves can take action against cheating traders. The ISI and Agmark logos are certifications of good quality. Consumers must look for such certifications  while buying goods and services. Secondly, to be able to discriminate and make informed choices, a consumer needs to have an adequate knowledge of the goods or services purchased by him/her.

4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer – Factors which cause exploitation of consumers are : 

  • Lack of awareness of consumer rights among buyers.
  • Improper and inadequate monitoring of rules and regulations. There is no fixed law for quality and rate
  • Misleading advertising in the media.
  • Consumers are scattered over large areas.
  • The main reason for exploitation of consumers is the lack of knowledge. Several consumers do not have the knowledge about the price, quality, services related commodities.

5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Answer – The rationale behind the enactment of COPRA 1986 was to set up a separate department of consumer affairs in Central and State governments and it has been enacted to safeguard them against the exploitation. This led to the formation of consumer courts at district and state levels.

6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Answer – Some of my duties as a consumer if I visit a shopping complex include:
• Checking expiry dates of the products I wish to purchase.
• Paying no more than the maximum retail price printed on the goods.
• Asking for a cash memo/receipt for the goods I purchased.
• Preventing shopkeepers from dumping me with defective products, and registering a complaint with a consumer forum or court in case a seller refuses to take responsibility for an adulterated or flawed product.
• To be aware of the quality and safety of goods and services before purchasing.
• To gather all the information and facts available about a product or service as well as to keep abreast of changes and innovations in the marketplace.

7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?
Answer – We should look for Agmark symbol before buying the food items because this mark is certified by the government and is a certification mark employed on agricultural products in India, assuring that they conform to a set of standards approved by the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency of the Government of India.

8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?
Answer – Legal measures taken by the government to empower consumers in India are plenty. First and foremost being the COPRA in 1986. Then, in October 2005, the Right to Information Act was passed, ensuring citizens all information about the functioning of government departments. Also, under COPRA, a consumer can appeal in state and national courts, even if his case has been dismissed at the district level. Thus, consumers even have the right to represent themselves in consumer courts now.

9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Answer – Some of the rights of consumers are as follows :

  • Right to choice – Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive that service. Under this right, a consumer may also choose any one of the various brands of a product (say, a refrigerator) available in the market.
  • Right to information – The RTI act aims at making every citizen of the country aware of the functioning of the Government
  • Right to redressal – Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. He has the right to be compensated by the seller/producer if any damage or loss occurs due to the products or service purchased.
  • Right to represent – The act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts. In case his representation in the district court is dismissed, he can approach the state level and then at the national level.

10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Answer – Consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumer groups that write articles or hold exhibitions against traders’ exploitation. These groups guide individuals on how to approach a consumer court and they even help consumers to fight cases against them. Such groups, in return, receive financial aid from the government to create public awareness. Participation of people strengthens consumer solidarity.

11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Answer – The consumer movement in India has progressed vastly since it began. There has been a significant change in consumer awareness in the country. The enactment of COPRA in 1986 has made it easier for people to complain against any case of malpractices or exploitation occurring in the marketplace. The setting up of consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move.

12. Match the following.

(i) Availing details of ingredients of a product (a) Right to safety
(ii) Agmark (b) Dealing with consumer cases
(iii) Accident due to the faulty engine in a scooter (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iv) District Consumer Court (d) Agency that develops standards for goods and services
(v) Consumers International (e) Right to information
(vi) Bureau of Indian Standards (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations

Answer –

(i) Availing details of ingredients of a product (e) Right to information
(ii) Agmark (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iii) Accident due to the faulty engine in a scooter (a) Right to safety
(iv) District Consumer Court (b) Dealing with consumer cases
(v) Consumers International (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations
(vi) Bureau of Indian Standards (d) Agency that develops standards for goods and services

13 Say True or False.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery.
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Answer –
(i) COPRA applies only to goods. (False)
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal. (True)
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court. (True)
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value. (True)
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery. (True)
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick. (False)
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage. (True)

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