Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Economics Chapter 5 Consumer Rights Class 10 Important Questions
Very Short Answer Question s (VSA) 1 Mark
Question 1.
Which cases does the district level court deal with?
Year of Question:(2011 D)
Answer:
The district level court deals with cases involving claims upto ? 20 lakhs
Question 2.
A shopkeeper insists that you buy a guide with your NCERT Textbook. Which right of the consumer is being violated here?
Year of Question:(2015 D)
Answer:
Right to choose
Question 3.
In which court a consumer should file a case if he/she is exploited in the market?
Year of Question:(2012 D)
Answer:
Consumer Court
Question 4.
What was the main cause of the rise of the consumer movement?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
(2012 OD)
Answer:
The consumer movement grew out of consumers dissatisfaction due to unfair trade practices of sellers
Question 5.
Mention two ways in which consumer ignorance can cause their exploitation?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
- Consumers may not be careful in looking at the quality of the products or guarantee of the products and services. They do not bother about the warranty card
- They may not bother to buy quality marked products (such as ISI, Agmark)
- They may not bother to take the cash memo without which they cannot make complaints or get redressal
Question 6.
Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardization of which type of products?
Year of Question:(2013 D)
Answer:
Jewellery
Question 7.
When is National Consumers Day celebrated in India?
Year of Question:(2014 OD)
Answer:
National Consumers Day is celebrated every year on 24th December
Question 8.
Which certification is maintained for standardization of electrical goods?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
ISI
Question 9.
Which one of the following is the certification maintained for standardization of edible goods?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
ISI
Question 10.
Which logo would you like to see for purchasing electrical goods?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
Answer:
ISI
Question 11.
Suppose your parents want to purchase Gold jewellery along with you; then which logo will you look for on the jewellery?
Year of Question:(2017 D)
Answer:
Hallmark, is the logo to look for while purchasing Gold jewellery
Question 12.
Why was the Consumer Protection Act enacted by the Indian Parliament?
Year of Question:(2018 D)
Answer:
The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by the Indian parliament in 1986 to protect the consumers from unfair trade practices and retain interest of consumers
Question 13.
Suppose you have to buy a packed bottle for drinking water in your journey. Which logo will you like to see to be sure about its quality?
Year of Question:(2017 D)
Answer:
Indian Standard Instrument (ISI) issued by Ministry of Agriculture
Question 14.
If any damage is done to a consumer by a trader, under which consumer right one can move to consumer court to get compensation?
Year of Question:(2016 OD)
Answer:
Right to seek redressal. The consumers can seek redressal against trade practices of exploitation and have the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances
Question 15.
Give any one example of consumers right to choose. ?
Year of Question:(2017 D)
Answer:
A consumer has the Right to choose from different brands and varieties and thus a seller cannot offer to sell only one brand to the consumer
Question 16.
How is the maximum retail price printed on packets beneficial for you?
Year of Question:(2017 OD)
Answer:
Maximum retail price helps us to protest and complain against a seller/shopkeeper if we are charged more than the price printed on the packet
Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks
Question 17.
What is standardization of products? Mention any two organizations responsible for the standardization of products in India?
Year of Question:(2011 D)
Answer:
Standardization of a product or service is done by government agencies to ensure consistency in quality of products or services. It helps consumers get assured of quality while purchasing the goods and services. The organizations that monitor and issue these certificates allow producers to use their logos, i.e., ISI, Agmark or Hallmark provided they follow certain quality standards.
The two organizations responsible for the standardization of products in India are
- Bureau of Indian Standards issues ISI for industrial products and Hallmark for jewellery
- Ministry of Agriculture issues Agmark for food items
Question 18.
Why are rules and regulations required for the protection of consumers in the marketplace? Justify the statement with arguments?
Year of Question:(2016 OD)
Answer:
Rules and regulations are required in the market place for the following reasons
- Individual consumers often find themselves in a weak position, whenever there is a complaint regarding a good or service that had been bought. The seller tries to shift all the responsibility on to the buyer as if the seller has no responsibility once a sale is completed
- To check exploitation in the market place that happens in various ways. For example, unfair trade practices such as when shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add charges that were not mentioned before or when adulterated goods are sold
- Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers purchase in small amounts and are scattered. Large companies sometimes manipulate the market in various ways
For example, at times false information is passed on through media to attract consumers
- False and incomplete information. Sellers easily mislead consumers by giving wrong information about a product, its price, quality, reliability, lifecycle, expiry date, durability, its effect on health, environment, safety and security, maintenance cost involved and terms and conditions of purchase. Cosmetics, drugs and electronic goods are common examples where consumers face such problems. For example, At times false information is passed on through media to attract consumers.
Hence there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection of the consumers
Question 19.
Governments initiate schemes and programmes to alleviate the suffering of the poor and meet their basic needs. ?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
- Identify the fundamental right which is related to the Statement
- But poverty remains in the country. What could be the reason for such a situation
Answer:
- Right to Equality
- The situation of poverty remains unchanged despite governments initiatives because every citizen does not participate directly in competitive politics and the problems and need of the public, especially the poor are not duly represented. People may not have the desire, the need or the skill to take part in direct political activity other than voting. Sometimes people act together without forming any organization, which indirectly helps people to reach the government to listen to their demand or point of view
Question 20.
Explain the Right to seek redressal with an example?
Year of Question:(2013 OD)
Answer:
Right to seek redressal
- The consumers can seek redressal against trade practices of exploitation and have the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances
- He has a right to get compensation from a manufacturer/trader if he is harmed. The consumer can seek redressal through Consumer Courts functioning at district, state and national levels.
Example: Mahesh sent a money order to his village for his mothers medical treatment. The money did not reach his mother at the time when she needed it and reached months later. Mahesh, thus filed a case in the district level consumer court to seek redressal
Question 21.
How do Consumer Protection Councils help consumers? Explain three ways.?
Year of Question:(2012 D)
Answer:
The consumer movement led to the formation of various organizations locally known as Consumer forums. These are voluntary organizations
- They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts
- They represent consumers in the consumer courts
- These voluntary organizations receive financial support from the government for creating awareness among the consumers
Question 22.
How have markets been transformed in recent years? Explain with examples?
Year of Question:(2014 OD)
Answer:
The initial aspect of unequal situations in a market and poor enforcement of rules and regulations have now seen a transformation in the market in recent years
- The transformation of markets in recent years has come because of legal institutions helping consumers in getting compensated and upholding their rights as consumers
- The awareness of being a well-informed consumer which arose out of consumer movement has also shifted the responsibility of ensuring quality of goods and services on the sellers
- The producers in the market need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations. The manufacturer in the market is now required to display information about the ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer.
For example, pressure cookers have safety valves and manufacturers have to ensure its high quality. While buying medicines the directions for use and information relating to side effects and risk associated with its usage are to be mentioned on the packets
Question 23.
Describe the conditions in which markets do not work in a fair manner?
Year of Question:(2015 D)
Answer:
Markets do not work in fair manner when
- producers are few and powerful
- consumers are numerous and purchase in small amounts and are scattered
- large companies producing these goods having huge wealth; power and reach manipulate the market in various ways
- consumers are misinformed through the media and are unaware of their rights
Question 24.
How did consumer movement originate as a social force in India?
Year of Question:(2014 OD)
Answer:
The consumer movement as a social force originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices of the producers and sellers
Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organized form in the 1960s
In the early phase, consumer organizations were mainly engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed groups to look into malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in road passenger transport
Because of all these efforts, the movement succeeded in putting pressure on business firms and the government to change their unfair ways
As a result of all this, a major step was taken by the Indian Government in 1986. It enacted the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which popularly came to be known as COPRA
Question 25.
Explain with suitable examples meaning of Right to Information as provided under the Consumer Protection Act. CBSE Sample Question Paper?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
Consumers have the right to know what kind of goods they are buying in order to save themselves from exploitation at the hands of shopkeepers and producers.
- This includes quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and date of expiry (in the case of drugs)
- Detailed information about ingredients used, date of manufacture and the address of the manufacturer should be available to consumers, particularly in the case of drugs (regarding its use and side-effects, if any)
- In the case of a garment, washing instructions should be available. Electrical goods must have information regarding their use
- Without this information the consumers cannot complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the bought product proves to be defective in any manner
- In recent years, the right to information has been expanded to cover various services provided by the government by The RTI (Right to Information) Act 2005. This Act ensures citizens right to relevant information about the functioning of government departments
Question 26
Analyse with a suitable example the meaning of right to choose provided under the Consumer Protection Act. CBSE Sample Question Paper?
Year of Question:(2009 D)
Answer:
Any consumer who receives a service in whatever capacity, regardless of age, gender and nature of service, has the right to choose whether to continue to receive the service. The right to choose in the simplest sense is the consumers right
- To buy any brand of a good (soap, cooking oil etc.) and not be forced to buy only what a monopolist produces
- The right to choose is even more extensive than this, even after the consumer has bought a good and then finds out that it is not of the quality claimed for it, he/she has the right to return the good and choose another brand
- In a modern economy the right to choose has been further extended into all kinds of services including education. If your child is admitted to a school and you find that the school is not giving your child the kind of education it had promised, you should have the right to withdraw your child and seek admission in another school without losing the money you had spent as admission fee, annual fee etc. all over again.
Question 27
Analyse any three reasons for the beginning of the consumer movement in India?
Year of Question:(2017 D)
Answer:
The consumer movement as a social force originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices of the producers and sellers
- Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing and adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organized form in the 1960s
- In the early phase, consumer organizations were mainly engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed groups to look into malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in road passenger transport
- Because of all these efforts, the movement succeeded in putting pressure on business firms and the government to change their unfair ways
- As a result of all this, a major step was taken by the Indian Government in 1986. It enacted the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which popularly came to be known as COPRA
Question 28.
Analyse the importance of the three-tier judicial machinery under Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), 1986 for redressal of consumer disputes?
Year of Question:(2017 D)
Answer:
In the year 1986 the government of India took a major step in the interest of consumers, which resulted in the enactment of Consumer Protection Act popularly known as COPRA. The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate departments of consumer affairs in central as well as state governments. The COPRA also spells out the rights and duties of a consumer, as well as the rules and regulations, which a producer should follow. It provides a separate three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the national, state and district levels to deal with consumer grievances and disputes
- Under the COPRA, three- tier quasi- judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes
- The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ? 20 lakhs
- The state level courts deals with cases between ? 20 lakhs and ? one crore
- National level court deals with cases involving claims exceeding one crore
- If the case is dismissed in the district level court the consumer can appeal to the state and then the national level courts
Long Answer Questions (LA) 5 Marks
Question 29.
Consumers have the right to be informed about goods and services they purchase. Explain its three advantages?
Year of Question:(2011 D)
Answer:
It is mandatory for the manufacturer to display certain details on the packing because consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services they purchase. These details are about ingredients used, price, quantity, quality, potency, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer.
The advantages of this rule are
- Consumers can use this information to complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner. For example, if we buy a product and find it defective well within the expiry period, we can ask for a replacement. If the expiry period was not printed, the manufacturer would blame the shopkeeper and will not accept the responsibility
- One can protest and complain if someone sells a good at more than the printed price on the packet. This is indicated by MRP - maximum retail price. In fact if the MRP is missing from the packing, a consumer can bargain with the seller to sell at less than the MRP
- In October 2005, the Government of India enacted a law known as RTI (Right to Information) Act, which ensures its citizens all the information about the functions of government departments. The RTI Act gives consumers the power to Question the government about the functions and various services provided by the government
Question 30.
How do the large companies often manipulate the markets? Explain with an example?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
The big companies eliminate their competitors by lowering down the price of products thereby establishing their monopolies in the market giving less choice to people.
The large companies with huge wealth, power and reach often manipulate the market in various ways. Some common ways by which consumers are exploited in the market are
- Goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighed correctly
- The goods sold are sometimes of sub-standard quality, For example, selling medicines beyond their date of expiry
- In costly edible items such as oil, ghee etc. adulteration is common
- At times false information is passed on through the media and other sources to attract consumers. For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming it to be better than mothers milk. It took years of struggle before the company was forced to accept that it had been making false claims.
Similarly, a long battle had to be fought with court cases to make cigarette manufacturing companies accept that their product could cause cancer
Question 31.
Explain why a consumer should learn to be well informed?
Year of Question:(2011 OD)
Answer:
Consumers should learn to be well informed to avoid exploitation and unfair trade practices that happen in the market place in various ways. For example, sometimes shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add charges that were not mentioned before or when adulterated and defective goods are sold to ignorant consumers
- At times false information is passed on through the media to attract consumers. Consumers have the right to be informed about the particulars of goods and services that they purchase. Consumers can then complain and ask for compensation and replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner. One can also protest and complain if someone sells a good at more than MRP or can bargain with the seller to sell at less than the MRP
- When we as consumers become conscious of our rights, while purchasing various goods and services, we will be able to discriminate and make informed choices. This calls for acquiring the knowledge and skill to become a well informed consumer
Question 32.
"There is a great need for acquiring the knowledge and skill to become a well informed consumer." Support this statement?
Year of Question:(2012 D)
Answer:
There is a great need for acquiring the knowledge and skill to become a well informed consumer because
- We, as consumers participate in the market
- Consumer consciousness is very important for every buyer while purchasing various goods and services
- We should know the rules and regulations protecting the consumers rights
- When we buy a commodity, we should know the details like the ingredients, date of manufacturing, date of expiry, directions of usage and risk associated
- This enables consumers to make the right choice
Question 33.
What is Consumer Protection Act? Explain any three reasons responsible of enacting Consumer Protection Act, 1986 by the Government of India?
Year of Question:(2011 D)
Answer:
Consumer Protection Act. The COPRA was enacted to protect and promote the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.
The rationale behind COPRA (Consumer Protection Act) is to provide the consumers the means to redressal at three levels of quasi-judicial courts-District Forum, State Consumer Courts and National Commission.
This Act has enabled the consumers to have a right to represent themselves in the consumer courts.
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted
- to protect consumers in the market place and promote the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices like rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, over pricing, adulteration of food and edible oil
- to stop big companies from manipulating the market by giving false information through media, thereby exploiting the consumers
- to give rights to consumers to represent in the Consumer Court and seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation
Question 34.
How is the consumer redressal process becoming cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming? Explain?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
The consumer redressal process is becoming cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming
- Many a time, consumers are required to hire lawyers. These cases require time for filing and attending court proceedings
- In most purchases, cash memos are not issued, therefore it is difficult to gather evidence in case a consumer is cheated
- The existing laws are also not very clear on the issue of compensation to consumers injured by defective goods
- Enforcement of laws that protect workers in the unorganized sectors is weak
- Also, consumer awareness is spreading slowly. Rules and regulations of working markets are not followed
Question 35.
"Consumer awareness is essential to avoid exploitation in the market place." Support the statement?
Year of Question:(2016 D)
Answer:
Consumer awareness is essential to avoid exploitation in the market place. Markets do not work in a fair manner. Exploitation happens in various ways. Therefore, awareness is essential. Certain details are given on the packing of all commodities. When we buy medicines, details are marked on the packets. Rules have been made so that the manufacturer displays the information.
Consumers who are not aware may buy, For example
- Medicines that have not been properly inspected and certified by the appropriate authority, or whose expiry date is already over
- They may buy electronic/electrical goods which may have defects or these products may not adhere to safety norms. Consumers can complain and ask for compensation or replacement of the product, if it proves to be defective in any manner
Question 36.
How does exploitation of consumers take place in the market? Explain with any five facts?
Year of Question:(2014 D)
Answer:
Some common ways by which consumers are exploited by manufacturers and traders are given below
- Underweight and under-measurement. Goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighed correctly
- High prices. Very often the traders charge a price higher than the prescribed retail price
- Sub-standard quality. The goods sold are sometimes of sub-standard quality, e.g. selling medicines beyond their date of expiry, selling deficient or defective home appliances
- Duplicate articles. In the name of genuine parts or goods, fake or duplicate items are sold to the consumers
- Adulteration and impurity. In costly edible items like oil, ghee and spices, adulteration is common in order to earn more profit. This causes heavy loss to the consumers. They suffer from monetary loss as well as damage to their health
- Lack of safety devices. Fake or inferior electronic goods, electrical devices or other appliances, produced locally lack the required in-built safety measures. This may cause accidents
- False and incomplete information. Sellers easily mislead consumers by giving wrong information about a product, its price, quality, reliability, life-cycle, expiry date, durability, its effect on health, environment, safety and security, maintenance cost involved and terms and conditions of purchase. Cosmetics, drugs and electronic goods are common examples where consumers face such problems
Question1.
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace?
Answer:
- To protect consumers from unfair practices
- To prevent exploitation, such as selling defective goods or overcharging
- Example: A seller might charge more than the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) printed on a product
- Helps ensure fair trade practices and a balanced relationship between consumers and sellers
Question2.
What gave birth to the consumer movement in India?
Answer:
- 1960s: Emergence due to food shortages, hoarding, and black marketing
- Unfair trade practices like adulteration of food
- Lack of legal protection for consumers
- The movement aimed to protect consumer interests and create awareness
Question3.
What is the rationale behind the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) 1986?
Answer:
- COPRA was introduced to:
- Protect consumers from unfair practices
- Provide a platform for seeking redressal against exploitation
- Ensure consumer rights, such as the Right to Safety and the Right to Information
- It led to the establishment of Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at district, state, and national levels
Question4.
What are some examples of consumer exploitation in the market?
Answer:
- Selling expired products without informing the buyer
- Providing false information through advertisements
- Charging higher prices than the MRP
- Example: Reji Mathews case, where medical negligence in a hospital caused lifelong disability, leading to a legal battle for compensation
Question5.
What are the key rights provided to consumers under COPRA?
Answer:
- Right to Safety: Protection from hazardous goods and services
- Right to Information: Complete details about products such as ingredients, price, and expiry date
- Right to Choice: Freedom to select the product or service of their choice
- Right to Redressal: Compensation or correction if consumer rights are violated
Question6.
How does foreign trade integrate markets?
Answer:
- Foreign trade connects domestic markets with international ones
- Allows consumers access to a wider range of goods
- Example: Importing Chinese toys into India expanded the variety of products available at cheaper prices
Question7.
How can consumers seek justice if their rights are violated?
Answer:
- File a case in Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions
- District Commission for claims up to Rs. 1 crore
- State Commission for claims between Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 10 crore
- National Commission for claims exceeding Rs. 10 crore
- Consumers can file complaints individually or as a group
Question8.
Why is consumer awareness important?
Answer:
- Informed consumers can make better choices and avoid exploitation
- Awareness helps consumers understand their rights and take action when those rights are violated
- Example: Checking the ISI or Agmark logos ensures product quality
Question9.
What is the role of ISI and Agmark certifications?
Answer:
- ISI: Ensures product safety, especially for items like LPG cylinders and electronics
- Agmark: Certifies the quality of agricultural products like food grains and oil
- These marks provide assurance to consumers about the quality and safety of the products they buy
Question10.
How can the government help ensure fair globalisation for consumers?
Answer:
- Implement strong laws to protect consumer rights
- Promote awareness about safe products and services
- Establish and maintain consumer dispute redressal systems, ensuring timely justice
- Encourage the adoption of certification standards like ISI, Agmark, and Hallmark for better quality control