‘Consumers need to know their rights and responsibilities’

Mysuru: Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission chairperson AK Naveen Kumari on Thursday asked consumers to buy products and services only after gaining knowledge of consumer rights and responsibilities as it is a must to protect themselves from unfair trade practices.
She was speaking after participating in a World Consumers Day event organised jointly by district administration, department of food and civil supplies, consumers affairs, District Legal Services Authority, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, JSS College of Law at its campus in the city.
She said every human being is a consumer by birth. Majority of people are still ignorant about consumer rights, responsibilities though successive governments have made efforts to spread awareness among people about the same. Before purchasing any goods or availing services, people should have knowledge to seek redressal on unfair trade practices, she said.
They should verify the quality of the products as well as on the guarantee of the products and services. If consumers are cheated, they should approach the commission. People should preferably verify the date and expiry of manufacturing of all goods before purchasing and must obtain a purchase receipt after making payment, she said.
She said that consumers can make complaints for their genuine grievances to make a fair settlement. Many times their complaint may be of small value but its impact on the society as a whole may be large. She said that district level commission has permitted to clear disputes up to Rs 50 lakh goods and services, state level commission can clear disputes up to Rs 2 crore within a short span with collection of nominal fees. The commission has also given powers to all DCs to seize the sub-standard goods and services, besides penalising the guilty. People can also approach them to file complaints, she said.
The District Legal Services Authority member secretary Devaraj Bhute Consumers lodging complaints with Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions need not spend as much money and endure a long wait, he said.
Joint director of food and civil supplies Kumuda, Principal of JSS Law College Suresh were present for the event.