JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

JAC Board Class 10th Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

JAC Class 10th Economics Consumer Rights Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Answer:
Rules and regulations are required in the market place to protect the consumers from unfair trade practices and exploitation by the sellers. 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.

Question 2.
What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Answer:
The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 3.
Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer:
Consumer consciousness is when consumers acquire knowledge about their rights to become a well – informed consumer, while purchasing various goods and services, e.g.,

  1. While buying commodities check for logos like ISI, Agmark or Hallmark. These logos and certification help consumers get assured of quality while purchasing the goods and services.
  2. Consumer Rights to healthy environment against water, noise and air pollution.

Question 4.
Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer:
Traders try to earn a profit by using unfair means like weighing less, unfair trade practices and resort to adulteration, hoarding and black – marketing. Ignorance of the consumers.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 5.
What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Answer:
The Indian Government enacted the Consumer Protection Act in 1986, popularly known as COPRA for the protection of consumers.

  1. Putting pressure on pvt. firms and the govt, to curb unfair trade practices.
  2. Recognising various rights of the consumers to seek redressal.

Question 6.
Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Answer:
Join Consumer Awareness Organisations, take warrantee card with purchase, cash memos/bills with items, purchase quality marke products with ISI mark, Agmark, etc., make complaints for genuine grievances.

Question 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 would look for the ‘agmark’ symbol on them because this mark is certified by the government and assures the quality of the product.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 8.
What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in india?
Answer:

  1. Under COPRA a three-tier quasi – judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was. set up for redressai of consumer disputes.
  2. The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto 20 Iakh, the state level courts between 20 lakh and I crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding 1 crore.
  3. Thus, the Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

Question 9.
Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each. j
Answer:

  1. Right to safety: The consumers have the right to be protected against the selling of hazardous goods to life and property.
  2. Right to be informed: Consumers have the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, purity, standard and price of goods.
  3. Right to be informed: Consumers can raise their voice against exploitation at consumer forums or consumer courts.
  4. Right to choose: Consumers have a right to choice from various goods and services at competitive prices.
  5. Right to seek Redressal: Consumers have the right to fair settlement or compensation of genuine grievances against unfair trade practices or exploitation.

Question 10.
By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Answer:
Consumer Clubs, Resident Welfare Associations are some of the ways in which consumers can express their solidarity.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 11.
Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Answer:

  1. The consumer redressal process in India is time-consuming and expensive as a consumer has to engage the lawyers.
  2. If cash memos are not issued evidences are not easy to gather.
  3. The existing laws are also not very clear on the issue of compensation for defective products.
  4. Laws to protect workers in the unorganised sectors are weak.
  5. Rules and regulations for working of markets are often not followed.

Question 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 faulty engine in a scooter (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals
(iv) District – Consumer Courtt (d) Agency that develop 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 faulty engine in a scooter (a) Right to safety
(iv) District – Consumer Courtt (b) Dealing with consumer cases
(v) Consumers . International (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations
(vi) Bureau of Indian Standards (d) Agency that develop standards for goods and services

Question 13.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
Answer:
False

(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
Answer:
True

(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
Answer:
True

(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
Answer:
False

(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewelry.
Answer:
True

(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
Answer:
False

(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Answer:
False

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

JAC Board Class 10th Social Science Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
MRP on a product means
(a) Minimum retail price
(b) Maximum retail price
(c) Micro retail price
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Maximum retail price

Question 2.
The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organizations which are locally known as:
(a) Consumer Protection Council
(b) The Consumer International
(c) The Consumer Protection Act
(d) The World Trade Organisation
Answer:
(c) The Consumer Protection Act

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 3.
When was the ‘Right to Information Act’ passed?
(a) In January 2002
(b) In March 2004
(c) In October 2005
(d) In July 2007
Answer:
(c) In October 2005

Question 4.
Which one of the following is the agency that develops standards for goods and services in India?
(a) COPRA
(b) National Consumer Court
(c) Consumer Protection Council
(d) Bureau of Indian Standards
Answer:
(d) Bureau of Indian Standards

Question 5.
The department of consumer affairs is found at:
(a) National level
(b) State level
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)

Question 6.
The National Consumer Day is celebrated on:
(a) 24th December
(b) 24th November
(c) 24th October
(d) 24th September
Answer:
(a) 24th December

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 7.
Rules and regulations are required in the marketplace for:
(a) Protecting sellers
(b) Protecting consumers
(c) Integrating the consumers
(d) None of these
Answer:
(b) Protecting consumers

Question 8.
If there is any complaint regarding goods or service, the seller shifts the responsibility to:
(a) Maker
(b) Product or service
(c) Consumer
(d) Nobody
Answer:
(c) Consumer

Question 9.
What gave rise to the ‘Consumer Movement’ in India?
(a) Inflation
(b) Violence
(c) Hoarding
(d) None of these
Answer:
(c) Hoarding

Question 10.
For which of these products does it become mandatory for the producers to get certified?
(a) Fruits
(b) Telephones
(c) Cigarettes
(d) LPG cylinders
Answer:
(d) LPG cylinders

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is Consumer Protection?
Answer:
Consumer Protection refers to protect the consumers from the exploitation of traders in the marketplace.

Question 2.
Who are consumers?
Answer:
Consumers are those people who participate in the market when they purchase goods and services that they need and these are the final goods that people as consumers use.

Question 3.
Write any one factor which leads to exploitation of consumers.
Answer:
Traders try to earn a profit by using unfair means like weighing less, unfair trade practices and resort to adulteration, hoarding and black – marketing. Ignorance of the consumers.

Question 4.
How did the consumer movement originate in India?
Answer:
The consumer movement originated in India with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

Question 5.
How many organizations have been set up at the international level to protect consumers?
Answer:
220 organizations have been set up at the international level to protect consumers.

Question 6.
MRP of the product falls under which right?
Answer:
MRP of the product falls under the right to be informed.

Question 7.
Write any two rights of consumers.
Answer:

  1. Right to Safetyand
  2. Right to be Informed.

Question 8.
Write the importance of consumer forums.
Answer:
Consumer forums create awareness and guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court.

Question 9.
What are Agmark, ISI and ISO related to?
Answer:
Agmark is related to agricultural produce, ISI is related to consumer goods while ISO certifies the standards of products at the international level.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

JAC Board Class 10 Social Science Notes Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

→ We the people participate in the market both as producers and consumers. As producers of goods and services we could be working in any of the sectors such as agriculture, industry, or services. Consumers participate in the market when they purchase goods and services that they need.

  • Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the marketplace. Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position.
  • 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 compnîes are producing these goods.

→ Consumer Movement

  • The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers.
  • It vas presumed that it was a consumer’s responsibility while buying various products.
  • In Inda, the consumer movement as a ‘social force’ originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.
  • A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

→ Consumer Rights Safety is Everyone’s Right

  • We as consumers, have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.
  • Many goods and services that we purchase, require special attention to safety. For example, pressure cookers have a safety valve which, if it is defective, can cause a serious accident. The manufacturers of the safety valve have to ensure high quality.
  • Information about goods and services: Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. Consumers can then complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner. For example, if we buy a product and find it defective well within the expiry period, we can ask for a replacement. If the expiry period is not printed, the manufacturer will blame the shopkeeper and will not accept the responsibility.
  • In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law, popularly known as RTI (Right to Information) Act, which ensures its citizens all the information about the functions of government departments.

→ Where should consumers go to get justice?

  • Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he/she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.
  • Consumer forums: The consumer movement in India has led to the formation of various organisations locally known as consumer forums or consumer protection councils. They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer court. On many occasions, they also represent individual consumers in the consumer courts. These voluntary organisations also receive financial support from the government for creating awareness among the people.
  • Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.
  • The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakh, the state level courts between ₹ 20 lakh and ₹ 1 crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding ? 1 crore.
  • If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can also appeal in State and then in National level courts.
  • Thus, the Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

→ Learning to Become Well-Informed Consumers

  • The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate departments of Consumer Affairs in Central and State governments.
  • The posters are one example through which government spread information about legal process which people can use. You might also be seeing such advertisements on television channels.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights

→ Taking the Consumer Movement Forward

  • India has been observing 24 December as the National Consumers’ Day. It was on this day that the Indian Parliament enacted the Consumer Protection Act in 1986. India is one of the countries that have exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
  • Today there are more than 700 consumer groups in the country of which only about 20-25 are well organised and recognised for their work.
  • After more than 25 years of the enactment of COPRA, consumer awareness in India is spreading, but slowly.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes