New Delhi: Only 20 percent of consumers in India are aware of the consumer protection law and just 42 percent of them have heard about consumer rights, a study has said.
"Only about 20 percent of consumers in the country are aware of the Act even after 25 years of its existence. It is the best known act followed by Weights and Measures Act, 1976 and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006," said a study jointly conducted by NGO CUTS International and Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
The government has enacted the Consumer Protection law way back in 1986 to protect consumer interest and settle disputes at the central, state and district levels.
Only about 14 percent consumers are aware about the proposed Food Security Act. The awareness is the highest in northern region and the lowest in eastern region, it said.
Just 42 percent have heard about consumer rights and almost 50 percent of consumers are not even aware about government's 'Jago Grahak Jago' campaign, the study said.
However, these findings are still encouraging considering the fact that five years ago only 18 percent were aware about the Act, the study said expressing concern that people are gradually losing trust on consumer redressal mechanisms.
Releasing the report, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas said, "We proclaim consumer is king. Unfortunately, larger section of society does not know about their rights."
Even if educated consumers take their complaints to dealers or shop owners, they are asked to go to makers of the products, he said.
Sharing his personal experience as a consumer, the minister said: "I purchased a car recently. But the car that was delivered to my place had scratches. When the dealer was asked to replace it, he asked my assistant to go directly to the manufacturer. Later, he realised that I am a minister and replaced the car. Not everybody can be a minister."
Since justice is delayed in consumer courts, Thomas suggested that organisations like CUTS should play an important role in addressing the consumer grievances faster.
"The success of consumer movement will depend on consumer awareness," he added.
The study, conducted in 19 states and three union territories with a sample size of 11,499, was undertaken in the backdrop of the completion of 25 percent of the Consumer Protection Act.
PTI
