Every individual is a consumer, regardless of occupation, age, gender, community or religious affiliation. Consumer rights and welfare are now an integral of life of an individual and we all have made use of them at some or the other point in our daily routine.
In India, 24th December is observed as “National Consumer Rights Day”, since the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted on this day. The Consumer Protection Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing better protection of consumers’ interests. The Act provides for effective safeguards to consumers against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings, relying mainly on compensatory rather than a disciplinary or preventive approach. It applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted which covers the private, public and cooperative sectors. it also provides speedy and inexpensive adjudication.
Consumer Rights are such as right to be informed, right to be heard, right to seek redressal, right to safety, right to choose and right to consumer education. The Year 2012 is the 25 years of Consumer Protection Act, 1986. To mark the significance of the day 24th December as the ‘National Consumer Day’ all over the country, the Consumer Protection act, 1986 received assent of the President of India on 24th December and the observance of this Day every year reminds about the rights of the consumers and responsibilities of the government agencies. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is considered to be a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.
As National Consumer Day is observed on the eve of Christmas, the NVCO wish every citizen a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Kezhokhoto Savi Advocate & President NVCO
Recipient of First Prize National Award
on Consumer Protection
