NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights are part of NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science. Here we have given NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights.
| Board | CBSE |
| Textbook | NCERT |
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Social Science Economics |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
| Chapter Name | Consumer Rights |
| Number of Questions Solved | 13 |
| Category | NCERT Solutions |
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights
From the exam point of view, the students should be able to:
- Define basic concept like MRP, COPRA, redressal and certification marks
- Examine the different ways in which consumers can be exploited
- Interpret the rights and duties of a consumer
- State the procedure of complaining in a consumer court
- Identify the marks of certification
- Assess the consumer movement prevalent in India
NCERT Questions
Question 1.
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Or
Why are rules and regulations required for the protection of the consumers, in the market place? Explain with examples. [2013]
Or
Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the market place.” Justify the statement with arguments. [2016]
Answer:
Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position. Whenever there is a complaint regarding goods or services that had been bought, the seller tries to shift all the responsibility on to the buyer. In such a situation, rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumer in the marketplace. For example, in order to achieve the goal of profit maximisation and growth, traders indulge in unfair trade practices such as shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or traders add charges that were not mentioned before, or they sell adulterated/defective goods and mislead consumers by giving wrong information about products. All this necessitates the protection of consumer and required rules and regulations in the marketplace.
Question 2.
What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution.
Or
Explain any three factors which gave birth to the ‘Consumer Movement’ in India. [2011,2014]
Answer:
Factors : Rampant food shortages, hoardings, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil.
Evolution : Consumer movements came into being in an organised form in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport. More recently, India witnessed an upsurge in the number of consumer groups which is the result of more and more cases of consumer exploitation by the unscrupulous producers and dishonest traders. The efforts of different consumer forums compelled the Government of India to enact the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.
Question 3.
Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Answer:
Consumer consciousness is necessary because of the following reasons :
(a) Exploitation in the market place 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 adulterated/ defective goods are sold.
(b) 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 claming this to be better than mother’s milk.
Question 4.
Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Answer:
The major factors that cause exploitation of the consumers are as follows :
(a) Limited information : In a capitalist economy, producers and sellers are free to produce any goods or services in any quantity and there is no regulation on the prices. In such cases, providing full and correct information about the product to consumers is of great importance. In the absence of information about different aspects of the products, namely, price, quality, composition, conditions of use, terms to make a wrong choice and lose money.
(b) Limited supplies : The consumers are exploited when the goods and services are not available in the required quantity or numbers. Limited supplies are a result, usually, of lower production of goods, as compared with the demand. This gives rise to a tendency of hoarding, and price escalation.
(c) Low literacy : Illiteracy is one of the major drawbacks that lead to exploitation of consumers. The level of literacy directly affects the level of awareness about products and the market.
(d) Limited competition : When only one producer or a group of producers controls the production and supply of a product, and is in a position to restrict the availability of supplies, there is a possibility of manipulation in price and availability. This may lead to exploitation of the consumers.
Question 5.
What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Answer:
The rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986 is to protect the consumers from unscrupulous manufacturers and dishonest traders, making them aware about their rights and duties.
Question 6.
Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Answer:
(a) While purchasing the goods, consumers should look at the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. Wherever possible, they also have to insist for the warantee card. They should preferably purchase quality marked products, such as ISI, Agmark, etc.
(b) Wherever possible, consumers should ask for cash memo for the items purchased.
(c) Consumers should form consumer awareness organisations, which can be given representation in various committees formed by the government and other bodies in matters relating to consumers.
(d) Consumers must make complaint for their genuine grievances.
(e) Consumers must know their rights and must exercise them.
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:
While purchasing a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet, we shall have to look for logo of ‘Agmark’ because it assures the quality of agricultural products.
Question 8.
What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India?
Answer:
(a) In order to protect the interests of the consumers, the Government in India has enacted a specific law called the Consumer Protection Act in 1986. This act provides for the establishment of Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies at District, State and National levels for the protection and promotion of consumer interests and to redress their grievances in a speedy, simple and inexpensive manner. These agencies are required to dispose off each complaint within three months.
(b) Right to Information Act enacted in 2005 enables citizens to have all the information about the functions of government departments. The citizens have the right to know the particulars of goods and services they purchase.
Question 9.
Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each.
Answer:
(a) Right to safety : 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.
(b) Right to information : Consumers have the right to be informed about particulars of goods and services that they purchase. They can complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective. An act was implemented by the government in 2 005 called Right to Information Act.
(c) Right to choose : Consumers have the right to choose according to their wish and choice. They have the right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.
(d) Right to seek redressal : Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. They can get compensation depending on the degree of damage. They have the right to represent in the consumer courts.
Question 10.
By what means can the consumers express their solidarity?
Answer:
The consumers can express their solidarity by forming consumers protection councils or consumer forums and through consumer movements.
Question 11.
Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
Answer:
Factors : Rampant food shortages, hoardings, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil.
Evolution : Consumer movements came into being in an organised form in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport. More recently, India witnessed an upsurge in the number of consumer groups which is the result of more and more cases of consumer exploitation by the unscrupulous producers and dishonest traders. The efforts of different consumer forums compelled the Government of India to enact the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA,
Question 12.
Match the following :
Answer:
(i) – (e)
(ii) – (c)
(iii) – (a)
(iv) – (b)
(v) – (f)
(vi) – (d)
Question 13.
Say True or False.
(a) COPRA applies only to goods.
(b) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
(c) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
(d) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(e) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellery.
(f) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(g) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Answer:
(a) False
(b) True
(c) True
(d) False
(e) True
(f) True
(g) True
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