Page 141 - Understanding Economics for Class 10

(ii) It was started because of the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers
against unethical and unfair trade practices.
(iii) Rampant food shortages.
(iv) Black marketing.
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
(v) Adulteration of food and edible oil.
Till the mid-1970s, consumer organisations were busy writing articles and holding exhibitions to
arouse consciousness among consumers. There has been an upsurge in the number of consumer
groups since the 1980s. Currently, there are about 700 consumer organisations in India working in
the field of consumer protection. Greater awareness among the consumers about their rights also led
to a gradual transition from a predominantly sellers’ market to a buyers’ market.
These movements have also influenced the government to work for the protection of the consumer,
and the Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986 to safeguard the interest of the consumers.

3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples.
Ans. The consumer must be conscious while buying anything in the market so that they are not
being cheated or exploited in the marketplace and charged wrongly for the goods.
Example:
(i) While buying a good, a customer should always check for its expiry date and manufacturing
date. Consuming goods after its expiry date specially in perishable items is very important,
consumption of it can create health issues.
(ii) Customer should always ask for computerised bill while buying. If there is any problem
in product, it can be replaced only through bill.
4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers.
Ans. Few factors that cause the exploitation of consumers are as follows:
(i) The most important factor is the lack of awareness. People do not ask for proper bills
while buying products, which ultimately results in the exploitation of the consumer if the
product bought is defective.
(ii) There is no proper monitoring of rules and regulations.
(iii) Consumer ignores small losses and does not complain about them, which makes the seller
more ignorant.
(iv) Lack of consumer consciousness. A consumer must always check the MRP, expiry date
and manufacturing date and then buy a product.
(v) Because of unconscious consumers, most of the sweet shops do not include the weight of
the container when they weigh sweets.

5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986?
Ans. In 1986, a major step was taken by the Indian government. It was the enactment of the
Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.
The rationale behind the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986 was to set up a
department solely responsible for handling the complaints raised by the consumer and a separate
department for the Central and state governments. Its main aim was to address the problems
of consumers who reach the consumer courts for exploitation in the marketplace.

6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Ans. Some of our duties as consumers while visiting a shopping complex are given below:
(i) While purchasing any product or availing any service like haircut, we should always ask
for a proper bill.

E-124 Economics Class X