Page 132 - Understanding Economics for Class 10

 In 1986, the Indian government enacted the Consumer Protection Act, known as COPRA,
as a significant step towards safeguarding consumer interests.

consumers International
 In 1985, the United Nations created guidelines to help countries protect consumers and
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
for consumer groups to push their governments to take action. These guidelines became
the foundation of the consumer movement globally.
 Today, Consumers International brings together over 200 organizations from more than
100 countries, working together to support and advocate for consumer rights.

LET’S WORK THESE OUT (Page No. 78)
1. What could have been the steps taken by consumer groups?
Ans. Steps that could have been taken by consumer groups are:
(i) Awareness amongst people should be spread regarding their rights and duties as
consumers.
(i) Pressure should have been built on business firms to follow all the rules and regulations
properly.
(iii) They should have kept an eye on whether all the rules are strictly followed or not.
(iv) They should have launched complaints on behalf of consumers to seek redressal.

2. There may be rules and regulations but they are often not followed. Why? Discuss.
Ans. Rules and regulations are often not followed because of following reasons:
(i) Legal procedure is not fast. It takes lot of time to solve even a simple case.
(ii) Consumers want to avoid legal procedures and hassles related to it.
(iii) Consumers are not bothered whether rules are followed or not.
(iv) Seller especially big companies are not scared if any customer files complaint against
them.

conSuMEr rIGHtS
SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RIGHT
Example-Reji’s Suffering
 Reji Mathew, was admitted in a private clinic in Kerala for removal of tonsils. He was a
healthy boy, who was studying in Class IX. An ENT surgeon performed the tonsillectomy
operation under general anaesthesia. As a result of improper anaesthesia he showed
symptoms of some brain abnormalities because of which he was crippled for life.
 His father filed a complaint for medical negligence and deficiency, in service in the State
Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission claiming compensation of `5,00,000. The State
Commission, dismissed it due to lack of evidence. Reji’s father appealed again in the
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission located in New Delhi. After looking
into the complaint, the National Commission held the hospital responsible for medical
negligence and directed it to pay the compensation.
 It shows how due to negligence by the doctors and staff in giving anaesthesia, has made
Reji suffer for his whole life. Their negligence has crippled a student for life.
 We as consumers of various goods and services, have the right to be protected against
the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.

Economics Class X E-115