Consumer Rights PDF

NOTES FOR THE TEACHER CHAPTER 5 : CONSUMER RIGHTS This chapter proposes to discuss the issue of posters collectively is another way to think about consumer rights within the context of the ways these issues. This lesson contains activities, markets operate...

NOTES FOR THE TEACHER CHAPTER 5 : CONSUMER RIGHTS This chapter proposes to discuss the issue of posters collectively is another way to think about consumer rights within the context of the ways these issues. This lesson contains activities, markets operate in our country. There are many which require visits — visit to consumer aspects of unequal situations in a market and protection councils, consumer organisations, poor enforcement of rules and regulations. District/State/National level Consumer Hence, there is a need to sensitise learners and Disputes Redressal Commissions, retail shops, encourage them to participate in the consumer marketplaces, etc. Organise the visits to movement. This chapter provides case histories maximise learners’ experience. Have a — how some consumers were exploited in real discussion with them about the purpose of the life situation and how legal institutions helped visit, things they need to do beforehand and consumers in getting compensated and in things that need to be collected and the task upholding their rights. The case histories would (report/ project / article, etc.) they would carry enable the students to link these narratives to out after the visit. As part of this chapter, the their life experiences. We have to enable learners may do letter-writing and speaking students to understand that the awareness of activities. We may have to be sensitive to the being a well-informed consumer arose out of language aspect of exercises. consumer movement and active participation of people through their struggles over a long This chapter contains material collected period. This chapter also provides details of a from authenticated websites, books, newspapers few organisations helping consumers in different and magazines. For example, https://consumer ways. Finally, it ends with some critical issues affairs.nic.in is a website of Central Government of the consumer movement in India. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. Another website www.cuts- Aspects of Teaching / Sources of international.org is the website of a consumer Information organisation working in India for 40 years. It publishes a variety of material to create This chapter has questions, case studies and consumer awareness in India. They need to be activities. It would be preferred that students shared among learners so that they can also discuss these in groups orally. Some of these collect material as part of their activities. For could be answered in writing individually. example, case histories were taken from While carrying out each activity you could newspaper clippings and consumers who fought start with a brainstorming session about the in Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions. activity. Similarly, there are many opportunities Let learners collect and read such material from for roleplay in this chapter and this could be a different sources: consumer protection councils, useful way to share their experiences and Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions understand the issues at a deeper level. Making and internet. 74 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25  CHAPTER 5 CONSUMER RIGHTS The collage you see below contains what are the ways in which they can some news clippings of Consumer exercise their rights as consumers to Disputes Redressal Commission get a fair deal from the sellers when verdicts. Why did the people go to they felt they had been denied a just these organisations in these cases? treatment? These verdicts came about because some people persisted and struggled to get justice. In what ways were they denied justice? More importantly, 2024-25 THE CONSUMER IN THE MARKETPLACE We participate in the market both as Likewise, rules and regulations are producers and consumers. As required for the protection of the producers of goods and services we consumers in the marketplace. could be working in any of the sectors Individual consumers often find discussed earlier such as agriculture, themselves in a weak position. industry, or services. Consumers Whenever there is a complaint participate in the market when they regarding a good or service that had purchase goods and services that they been bought, the seller tries to shift need. These are the final goods that all the responsibility on to the buyer. people as consumers use. Their position usually is – “If you didn’t like what you bought, please In the preceding chapters we go elsewhere”. As if the seller has no discussed the need for rules and responsibility once a sale is regulations or steps that would completed! The consumer movement, promote development. These could be as we shall discuss later, is an effort for the protection of workers in the to change this situation. unorganised sector or to protect people from high interest rates Exploitation in the marketplace charged by moneylenders in the happens in various ways. For informal sector. Similarly, rules and example, sometimes traders indulge regulations are also required for in unfair trade practices such as when protecting the environment. shopkeepers weigh less than what they should or when traders add For example, moneylenders in the charges that were not mentioned informal sector that you read about before, or when adulterated/defective in Chapter 3 adopt various tricks to goods are sold. bind the borrower: they could make the producer sell the produce to them Markets do not work in a fair at a low rate in return for a timely loan; manner when producers are few and they could force a small farmer like powerful whereas consumers Swapna to sell her land to pay back purchase in small amounts and are the loan. Similarly, many people who scattered. This happens especially work in the unorganised sector have when large companies are producing to work at a low wage and accept these goods. These companies with conditions that are not fair and are huge wealth, power and reach can also often harmful to their health. To manipulate the market in various prevent such exploitation, we ways. At times false information is have talked of rules and regulations passed on through the media, and for their protection. There are other sources to attract consumers. organisations that have struggled For example, a company for years for long to ensure that these rules are sold powder milk for babies all over followed. THEY PURPOSELY MADE IT SO IT WOULD FALL APART AFTER A FEW MONTHS SO THAT I WILL BUY A NEW ONE! 2024-25 the world as the most scientific EVERYONE KNOWS product claiming this to be better TOBACCO KILLS PEOPLE, than mother’s milk. It took years of BUT WHO CAN SAY THAT TOBACCO COMPANIES struggle before the company was SHOULD NOT BE FREE forced to accept that it had been TO SELL TOBACCO? 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. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers. LET’S WORK THESE OUT 1. What are the various ways by which people may be exploited in the market? 2. Think of one example from your experience where you thought that there was some ‘cheating’ in the market. Discuss in the classroom. 3. What do you think should be the role of government to protect consumers? CONSUMER MOVEMENT The consumer movement arose out quality of goods and services on the of dissatisfaction of the consumers sellers. as many unfair practices were being In India, the consumer movement indulged in by the sellers. There was as a ‘social force’ originated with the no legal system available to necessity of protecting and promoting consumers to protect them from the interests of consumers against exploitation in the marketplace. For unethical and unfair trade practices. a long time, when a consumer was Rampant food shortages, hoarding, not happy with a particular brand black marketing, adulteration of food product or shop, he or she generally and edible oil gave birth to the avoided buying that brand product, consumer movement in an organised or would stop purchasing from that form in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, shop. It was presumed that it was consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and the responsibility of consumers to be holding exhibitions. They formed careful while buying a commodity consumer groups to look into the or service. It took many years for malpractices in ration shops and organisations in India, and around overcrowding in the road passenger the world, to create awareness transport. More recently, India amongst people. This has also witnessed an upsurge in the number shifted the responsibility of ensuring of consumer groups. C ONSUMER R IGHTS 77 2024-25  Consumers International In 1985 United Nations adopted the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. This was a tool for nations to adopt measures to protect consumers and for consumer advocacy groups to press their governments to do so. At the international level, this has become the foundation for consumer movement. Today, Consumers International has become an umbrella body to over 200 member organisations from over 100 countries. Because of all these efforts, the movement succeeded in bringing pressure on business firms as well as government to correct business conduct which may be unfair and against the interests of consumers at large. A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA. You will learn more about COPRA later. LET’S WORK THESE OUT 1. What could have been the steps taken by consumer groups? 2. There may be rules and regulations but they are often not followed. Why? Discuss. 2024-25  CONSUMER RIGHTS SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RIGHT Reji’s Suffering Reji’s suffering shows how a hospital, due to negligence by the Reji Mathew, a healthy boy studying in doctors and staff in giving Class IX, was admitted in a private clinic in anaesthesia, crippled a student for Kerala for removal of tonsils. An ENT life. While using many goods and surgeon perfor med the tonsillectomy services, we as consumers, have the operation under general anaesthesia. As a right to be protected against the result of improper anaesthesia Reji showed marketing of goods and delivery of symptoms of some brain abnormalities services that are hazardous to life and because of which he was crippled for life. property. Producers need to strictly His father filed a complaint in the State follow the required safety rules and Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission regulations. There are many goods claiming compensation of Rs 5,00,000 for and services that we purchase that medical negligence and deficiency, in require special attention to safety. For service. The State Commission, saying that example, pressure cookers have a the evidence was not sufficient, dismissed safety valve which, if it is defective, can it. Reji’s father appealed again in the cause a serious accident. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal manufacturers of the safety valve have Commission located to ensure high quality. You also need in New Delhi. The public or government action to see National Commission that this quality is maintained. after looking into the However, we do find bad quality complaint, held the products in the market because the hospital responsible supervision of these rules is weak and for medical negligence the consumer movement is also not and directed it to pay strong enough. the compensation. LET’S WORK THESE OUT 1. For the following (you can add to the list) products/ services discuss what safety rules should be observed by the producer? (a) LPG cylinder (b) cinema theatre (c) circus (d) medicines (e) edible oil (f) marriage pandal (g) a high-rise building. 2. Find out any case of accident or negligence from people around you, where you think that the responsibility lay with the producer. Discuss. C ONSUMER R IGHTS 79 2024-25  Information about goods and product and find it defective well services within the expiry period, we can ask for a replacement. If the expiry period When you buy any commodity, you was not printed, the manufacturer will find certain details given on the would blame the shopkeeper and will packing. These details are about not accept the responsibility. If people ingredients used, price, batch sell medicines that have expired number, date of manufacture, expiry severe action can be taken against date and the address of the manufacturer. When we buy them. Similarly, one can protest and medicines, on the packets, you might complain if someone sells a good at find ‘directions for proper use’ and more than the printed price on the information relating to side effects and packet. This is indicated by ‘MRP’ — risks associated with usage of that maximum retail price. In fact medicine. When you buy garments, consumers can bargain with the seller you will find information on to sell at less than the MRP. ‘instructions for washing’. In recent times, the right to Why is it that rules have been made information has been expanded to so that the manufacturer displays this cover various services provided by the information? It is because consumers Government. In October 2005, the have the right to be informed about Government of India enacted a law, the particulars of goods and services popularly known as RTI (Right to that they purchase. Consumers Information) Act, which ensures its can then complain and ask for citizens all the information about the compensation or replacement if the functions of government departments. product proves to be defective in any The effect of the R TI Act can be manner. For example, if we buy a understood from the following case. Waiting... Amritha, an engineering graduate after submitting all the certificates and attending the interview for a job in a government department, did not receive any news of the result. The officials also refused to comply with her queries. She therefore filed an application using the RTI Act saying that it was her right to know the result in a reasonable time so that she could plan her future. She was not only informed about the reasons for delay in the declaration of results but also got her call letter for appointment as she performed well in the interview. 80 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25  LET’S WORK THESE OUT 1. When we buy commodities we find that the price charged is sometimes higher or lower than the Maximum Retail Price printed on the pack. Discuss the possible reasons. Should consumer groups do something about this? 2. Pick up a few packaged goods that you want to buy and examine the information given. In what ways are they useful? Is there some information that you think should be given on those packaged goods but is not? Discuss. 3. People make complaints about the lack of civic amenities such as bad roads or poor water and health facilities but no one listens. Now the RTI Act gives you the power to question. Do you agree? Discuss. When choice is denied A Refund Abirami, a student of Ansari Institute again appealed Nagar, joined a two-year in the State Consumer course at a local coaching Com-mission. The State institute for professional Commission upheld the courses in New Delhi. At the District Commission’s time of joining the course, direction and further she paid the fees Rs 61,020 fined the institute as lumpsum for the entire Rs 25,000 for a frivolous course of two years. appeal. It also directed However, she decided to opt the institute to pay out of the course at the end of one year Rs 7000 as compensation and as she found that the quality of litigation cost. teaching was not up to the mark. When The State Commission also restrained she asked for a refund of the fee for one all the educational and professional year, it was denied to her. institutions in the state from charging When she filed the case in the District fees from students for the entire Consumer Disputes Redressal duration of the course in advance and Commission, the Commission directed that too at one go. Any violation of this the Institute to refund Rs 28,000 saying order may invite penalties and that she had the right to choose. The imprisonment, the commission said. What do we understand from this if you buy a toothbrush. If you are not incident? Any consumer who receives a interested in buying the brush, your service in whatever capacity, regardless right to choice is denied. Similarly, of age, gender and nature of service, has sometimes gas supply dealers insist the right to choose whether to that you have to buy the stove from continue to receive the service. them when you take a new connection. Suppose you want to buy In this way many a times you are toothpaste, and the shop owner says forced to buy things that you may not that she can sell the toothpaste only wish to and you are left with no choice. C ONSUMER R IGHTS 81 2024-25  LET’S WORK THIS OUT The following are some of the catchy advertisements of products that we purchase from the market. Which of the following offers would really benefit consumers? Discuss. l 15 gm more in every 500 gm pack. l Subscribe for a newspaper with a gift at the end of a year. l Scratch and win gifts worth Rs 10 lakhs. l A milk chocolate inside a 500 gram glucose box. l Win a gold coin inside a pack. l Buy shoes worth Rs 2000 and get one pair of shoes worth Rs 500 free. Where should consumers go The consumer can file a complaint to get justice? before the appropriate consumer forum on his/her own with or without Read again the cases of Reji Mathew the services of lawyers. You might be and Abirami given earlier in the interested in knowing how an chapter. aggrieved person gets his or her These are some examples in which compensation. Let us take the consumers are denied their rights. case of Prakash. He had sent a Such instances occur quite often in money-order to his village for his our country. Where should these daughter’s marriage. The money did consumers go to get justice? not reach his daughter at the time when she needed it nor did it reach Consumers have the right to seek months later. Prakash filed a case in redressal against unfair trade a district level Consumer Disputes practices and exploitation. If any Redressal Commission in New Delhi. damage is done to a consumer, she All the steps he undertook are has the right to get compensation illustrated here. These days consumer depending on the degree of damage. as an individual or as a group (called There is a need to provide an easy and class action suit) file a complaint both effective public system by which this Physically or through internet and can be done. conduct the case through video conferencing. 1. PRAKASH GOES TO THE POST OFFICE TO PRAKASH COMES TO KNOW THAT THE SEND MONEY ORDER TO HIS DAUGHTER 2. MONEY HAS NOT REACHED HIS DAUGHTER 82 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25  3. PRAKASH ENQUIRES ABOUT THE MONEY ORDER IN THE POST OFFICE THE POST OFFICE DOES NOT RESPOND 4. TO THE QUERY SATISFACTORILY 6. PRAKASH GOES TO A CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION TO FILE A CASE. HE FILLS A REGISTRATION FORM. THE COMMISSION 5. PRAKASH GOES TO THE LOCAL CONSUMER SENDS NOTICE TO THE OTHER PARTY PROTECTION COUNCIL FOR ADVICE 7. HE HIMSELF PLEADS THE CASE IN THE COMMISSION OFFICE JUDGE VERIFIES THE THE COMMISSION 8. DOCUMENTS AND HEARS THE ARGUMENTS OF BOTH OFFICE THE AGGRIEVED PARTY AND THE OTHER PARTY 9. THE JUDGE ANNOUNCES THE DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION VERDICT. C ONSUMER R IGHTS 83 2024-25  The consumer movement in India and national levels was set up for has led to the formation of various redressal of consumer disputes. The organisations, locally known as district-level authority called District consumer forums or consumer Consumer Disputes Redressal protection councils. They guide Commission deals with the cases consumers on how to file cases in the involving claims up to Rs 1 crore, the Consumer Disputes Redressal state-level Consumer Disputes Commissions. On many occasions, Redressal Commissions called State they also represent individual Commission between Rs 1 crore and consumers in these commissions. Rs 10 crore and the national-level These voluntary organisations also commission — National Commission receive financial support from the — deals with cases involving claims government for creating awareness exceeding Rs 10 crore. If a case is among people. dismissed in district-level If you are living in a residential commission, a consumer can also colony, you might have noticed appeal in the state and then in boards of Residents’ Welfare national-level commissions. Associations. If there is any unfair trade practice meted out to their Thus, the Act has enabled us as members, they take up the case on consumers to have the right to their behalf. represent in the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions. Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi- judicial machinery at the district, state LET’S WORK THIS OUT Arrange the following in the correct order. (a) Arita files a case in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. (b) She engages a professional person. (c) She realises that the dealer has given her defective material. (d) She starts attending the commission proceedings. (e) She goes and complains to the dealer and the Branch office, to no effect. (f) She is asked to produce the bill and warranty before the commission. (g) She purchases a wall clock from a retail outlet. (h) Within a few months, the dealer was ordered by the commission to replace her old wall clock with a brand new one at no extra cost. LEARNING TO BECOME WELL-INFORMED CONSUMERS When we as consumers become conscious of our rights, while purchasing various goods and services, we will be able to distinguish and make informed choices. This 84 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25 calls for acquiring the knowledge and skill to become a well-informed consumer. How do we become conscious of our rights? Look at the posters on the right and in the previous page. What do you think? The enactment of COPRA has led to the setting up of separate Departments of Consumer Affairs in central and state governments. The posters that you have seen are one example through which government spread information about legal process which people can use. You might also be seeing such advertisements on television channels. ISI and Agmark While buying many commodities, on the cover, you might have seen a logo with the letters ISI, Agmark, Hallmark or +F. These logos and certification help consumers get assured of quality while purchasing the goods and services. The organisations that monitor and issue these certificates allow producers to use their logos provided they follow certain quality standards. Though these organisations develop quality standards for many products, it is not compulsory for all the producers to follow standards. However, for some products that affect the health and safety of consumers or of products of mass consumption like LPG cylinders, food colours and additives, cement, packaged drinking water, it is mandatory on the part of the producers to get certified by these organisations. 2024-25  LET’S WORK THESE OUT 1. Look at the posters and cartoons in this chapter. Think of any particular commodity and the aspects that need to be looked at as a consumer. Design a poster for this. 2. Find out the nearest Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission for your area. 3. What is the difference between consumer protection council and Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission? 4. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 ensures the following as rights which every consumer in India should possess (i) Right to choice. (iv) Right to representation. (ii) Right to information. (v) Right to safety. (iii) Right to redressal. (vi) Right to consumer education. Categorise the following cases under different heads and mark against each in brackets. (a) Lata got an electric shock from a newly purchased iron. She complained to the shopkeeper immediately. ( ) (b) John is dissatisfied with the services provided by MTNL/BSNL/TATA INDICOM for the past few months. He files a case in the District Level Consumer Commission. ( ) (c) Your friend has been sold a medicine that has crossed the expiry date and you are advising her to lodge a complaint ( ). (d) Iqbal makes it a point to scan through all the particulars given on the pack of any item that he buys. ( ) (e) You are not satisfied with the services of the cable operator catering to your locality but you are unable to switch over to anybody else. ( ) (f) You realise that you have received a defective camera from a dealer. You are complaining to the head office persistently ( ). 5. If the standardisation ensures the quality of a commodity, why are many goods available in the market without ISI or Agmark certification? 6. Find out the details of who provides Hallmark and ISO certification. TAKING THE CONSUMER MOVEMENT FORWARD India has been observing 24 their activities. There are today more December as the National Consumers’ than 2000 consumer groups in the Day. It was on this day that the Indian country of which only about 50-60 Parliament enacted the Consumer are well organised and recognised for Protection Act in 1986. India is one their work. of the countries that have exclusive However, the consumer redressal authority for consumer redressal. process is becoming cumbersome, The consumer movement in India expensive and time consuming. Many has made some progress in terms of a time, consumers are required to numbers of organised groups and engage lawyers. These cases require 2024-25 time for filing and attending the encouraged at all the three tiers commission proceedings etc. In most Consumer Commissions. After more purchases cash memos are not issued than 30 years of the enactment of hence evidence is not easy to gather. COPRA, consumer awareness in India Moreover most purchases in the is spreading but slowly. Besides this market are small retail sales. The the enforcement of laws that protect workers, especially in the COPRA was amended in the year unorganised sectors is weak. 2019 to further strengthen Similarly, rules and regulations for consumers in India. Buying through working of markets are often not internet is now included. If there is any followed. service deficiency or defective product, Nevertheless, there is scope for service provider or manufacturer is consumers to realise their role and also held responsible and would be importance. It is often said that penalized or even imprisoned. consumer movements can be effective Settlement of disputes with the help only with the consumers’ active of a neutral intermediary outside the involvement. It requires a voluntary Consumer Disputes Redressal effort and struggle involving the Commission, called mediator, is now participation of one and all. EXERCISES 1. Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples. 2. What factors gave birth to the consumer movement in India? Trace its evolution. 3. Explain the need for consumer consciousness by giving two examples. 4. Mention a few factors which cause exploitation of consumers. 5. What is the rationale behind the enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986? 6. Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality. 7. Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why? 8. What legal measures were taken by the government to empower the consumers in India? 9. Mention some of the rights of consumers and write a few sentences on each. 10. By what means can the consumers express their solidarity? 11. Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India. 12. Match the following. (i) Availing details of ingredients of a product (a) Right to safety (ii) Agmark (b) Dealing with consumer cases (iii) Accident due to faulty engine in a scooter (c) Certification of edible oil and cereals (iv) District Consumer Commission (d) Agency that develop standards for goods and services (v) Food fortification (e) Right to information (vi) Consumers International (f) Global level institution of consumer welfare organisations (vii) Bureau of Indian Standards (g) Addition of key nutrients to staple foods C ONSUMER R IGHTS 87 2024-25  13. Say True or False. (i) COPRA applies only to goods. (ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive authorities established for consumer disputes redressal. (iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Commission. (iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer commissions only if the damages incurred are of high value. (v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellry. (vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick. (vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage. ADDITIONAL PROJECTS / ACTIVITIES 1. Your school organises a consumer awareness week. As the Secretary of the Consumer Awareness Forum, draft a poster covering all the consumer rights. You may use the clues and ideas given in the poster on page 84 and 85. This activity can be done with the help of your English teacher. 2. Mrs. Krishna bought a colour television (CTV) against six months warranty. The CTV stopped working after three months. When she complained to the dealer / shop where it was purchased, they sent an engineer to set it right. The CTV continues to give trouble and Mrs Krishna no longer gets any reply to the complaint she made to the dealer / shop. She decides to write to the Consumer Commission in her area. Write a letter on her behalf. You may discuss with your partner / group members before you write it. 3. Establish a consumer club in your school. Organise mock consumer awareness workshops like monitoring bookshops, canteen, and shops in your school area. 4. Prepare posters with catchy slogans like: – An alert consumer is a safe consumer – Buyers, Beware – Consumers be cautious – Be aware of your rights – As consumers, assert your right – Arise, awake and stop not till ______________________ (Complete it) 5. Interview 4-5 persons in your neighbourhood and collect varied experiences regarding how they have been victims of such exploitation and their responses. 6. Conduct a survey in your locality by supplying the following questionnaire to get an idea as to how alert they are as consumers. 88 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25  For each question, tick one. Always Sometimes Never A B C 1. When you buy some item, do you insist on a bill? ” ” ” 2. Do you keep the bill carefully? ” ” ” 3. If you realise that you have been tricked by the shop- ” ” ” keeper, have you bothered to complain to him or her? 4. Have you been able to convince him or her that you’ve ” ” ” been cheated? 5. Do you simply grumble to yourself reconciling that it is ” ” ” your fate that you are often being victimised so and it is nothing new? 6. Do you look for ISI mark, expiry date etc.? ” ” ” 7. If the expiry date mentioned is just a month or so away, ” ” ” do you insist on a fresh packet? 8. Do you weigh the new gas cylinder/old newspapers ” ” ” yourself before buying/selling? 9. Do you raise an objection if a vegetable seller uses stones ” ” ” in place of the exact weight? 10. Do excessively bright coloured vegetables arouse your ” ” ” suspicion? 11. Are you brand-conscious? ” ” ” 12. Do you associate high price with good quality (to reassure ” ” ” yourself that after all you have not paid a higher price just like that)? 13. Do you unhesitatingly respond to catchy offers? ” ” ” 14. Do you compare the price paid by you with those of ” ” ” others? 15. Do you strongly believe that your shopkeeper never cheats ” ” ” a regular customer like you? 16. Do you favour ‘home delivery’ provision of items without ” ” ” any doubt regarding weight etc.? 17. Do you insist on ‘paying by meter’ when you travel by ” ” ” auto? Note (i) You are extremely aware as a consumer if your answers for Qns. 5, 12, 13, 15 and 16 are (C) and for the rest (A). (ii) If your answers are (A) for Qns. 5, 12, 13, 15 and 16 and the rest (C), then you have to wake up as consumer. (iii) If your answer is (B) for all the questions – you are somewhat aware. C ONSUMER R IGHTS 89 2024-25  Appendix 1: Body Mass Index for Adolescent Girls (Age 14-18) Malnourished Malnourished Years Month Normal (underweight) (obesity) 14 0 Less than 15.4 15.4 to 27.3 More than 27.3 14 1 Less than 15.5 15.5 to 27.4 More than 27.4 14 2 Less than 15.5 15.5 to 27.5 More than 27.5 14 3 Less than 15.6 15.6 to 27.6 More than 27.6 14 4 Less than 15.6 15.6 to 27.7 More than 26.3 14 5 Less than 15.6 15.6 to 27.7 More than 27.7 14 6 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 27.8 More than 27.8 14 7 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 27.9 More than 27.9 14 8 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 28.0 More than 28.0 14 9 Less than 15.8 15.8 to 28.0 More than 28.0 14 10 Less than 15.8 15.8 to 28.1 More than 28.1 14 11 Less than 15.8 15.8 to 28.2 More than 28.2 15 0 Less than 15.9 15.9 to 28.2 More than 28.2 15 1 Less than 15.9 15.9 to 28.3 More than 28.3 15 2 Less than 15.9 15.9 to 28.4 More than 28.4 15 3 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 28.4 More than 28.4 15 4 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 28.5 More than 28.5 15 5 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 28.6 More than 28.5 15 6 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 28.6 More than 28.6 15 7 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 28.7 More than 28.6 15 8 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 28.7 More than 28.7 15 9 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 28.7 More than 28.7 15 10 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 28.8 More than 28.8 15 11 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 28.8 More than 28.8 16 0 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 28.9 More than 28.9 16 1 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 28.9 More than 28.9 16 2 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 29.0 More than 29.0 16 3 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 29.0 More than 29.0 16 4 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 29.0 More than 29.0 16 5 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.1 More than 29.1 16 6 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.1 More than 29.1 16 7 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.1 More than 29.1 16 8 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.2 More than 29.2 16 9 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.2 More than 29.2 16 10 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.2 More than 29.2 16 11 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 29.3 More than 29.3 17 0 Less than 16.4 16.3 to 29.3 More than 29.3 17 1 Less than 16.4 16.3 to 29.3 More than 29.3 17 2 Less than 16.4 16.3 to 29.3 More than 29.3 17 3 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.4 17 4 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.4 17 5 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.4 17 6 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.4 17 7 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.4 17 8 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.5 17 9 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.5 17 10 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.5 17 11 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.5 18 0 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 29.4 More than 29.5 90 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25  Appendix 2: Body Mass Index for Adolescent Boys (Age 14-18) Malnourished Malnourished Years Month Normal (underweight) (obesity) 14 0 Less than 15.5 15.5 to 25.9 More than 25.9 14 1 Less than 15.5 15.5 to 26.0 More than 26.0 14 2 Less than 15.6 15.6 to 26.1 More than 26.1 14 3 Less than 15.6 15.6 to 26.2 More than 26.2 14 4 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 26.3 More than 26.3 14 5 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 26.4 More than 26.4 14 6 Less than 15.7 15.7 to 26.5 More than 26.5 14 7 Less than 15.8 15.8 to 26.5 More than 26.5 14 8 Less than 15.8 15.8 to 26.6 More than 26.6 14 9 Less than 15.9 15.9 to 26.7 More than 26.7 14 10 Less than 15.9 15.9 to 26.8 More than 26.8 14 11 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 26.9 More than 26.9 15 0 Less than 16.0 16.0 to 27.0 More than 27.0 15 1 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 27.1 More than 27.1 15 2 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 27.1 More than 27.1 15 3 Less than 16.1 16.1 to 27.2 More than 27.2 15 4 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 27.3 More than 27.3 15 5 Less than 16.2 16.2 to 27.4 More than 27.4 15 6 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 27.4 More than 27.4 15 7 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 27.5 More than 27.5 15 8 Less than 16.3 16.3 to 27.6 More than 27.6 15 9 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 27.7 More than 27.7 15 10 Less than 16.4 16.4 to 27.7 More than 27.7 15 11 Less than 16.5 16.5 to 27.8 More than 27.8 16 0 Less than 16.5 16.5 to 27.9 More than 27.9 16 1 Less than 16.5 16.5 to 27.9 More than 27.9 16 2 Less than 16.6 16.6 to 28.0 More than 28.0 16 3 Less than 16.6 16.6 to 28.1 More than 28.1 16 4 Less than 16.7 16.7 to 28.1 More than 28.1 16 5 Less than 16.7 16.7 to 28.2 More than 28.2 16 6 Less than 16.7 16.7 to 28.3 More than 28.3 16 7 Less than 16.8 16.8 to 28.3 More than 28.3 16 8 Less than 16.8 16.8 to 28.4 More than 28.4 16 9 Less than 16.8 16.8 to 28.5 More than 28.5 16 10 Less than 16.9 16.9 to 28.5 More than 28.5 16 11 Less than 16.9 16.9 to 28.6 More than 28.6 17 0 Less than 16.9 16.9 to 28.6 More than 28.6 17 1 Less than 17.0 17.0 to 28.7 More than 28.7 17 2 Less than 17.0 17.0 to 28.7 More than 28.7 17 3 Less than 17.0 17.1 to 28.8 More than 28.8 17 4 Less than 17.1 17.1 to 28.9 More than 28.9 17 5 Less than 17.1 17.1 to 28.9 More than 28.9 17 6 Less than 17.1 17.1 to 29.0 More than 29.0 17 7 Less than 17.1 17.1 to 29.0 More than 29.0 17 8 Less than 17.2 17.2 to 29.1 More than 29.1 17 9 Less than 17.2 17.2 to 29.1 More than 29.1 17 10 Less than 17.2 17.2 to 29.2 More than 29.2 17 11 Less than 17.3 17.3 to 29.2 More than 29.2 18 0 Less than 17.3 17.3 to 29.2 More than 29.2 Source: Based on chart published by the World Health Organization APPENDIX 91 2024-25  SUGGESTED READINGS Books Abijit Vinayak Banerjee, Roland Benabou and Dilip Mookherjee (eds.), Understanding Poverty, Oxford University Press, New York, 2006. Amit Bhaduri and Deepak Nayyar, Intelligent Person’s Guide to Liberalisation, Penguin Books, New Delhi, 1996. Amit Bhaduri, Development with Dignity: The Case for Full Employment, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2005. Amit Bhaduri, Macroeconomics: The Dynamics of Commodity Production, Macmillan, London, 1986. Bimal Jalan (ed.), Indian Economy, Penguin Books, New Delhi, 2002. CUTS, Is it Really Safe, Consumer Unity Trust Society, Jaipur, 2004. CUTS, State of the Indian Consumer: Analyses of the Implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection, 1985 in India, Consumer Unity Trust Society, Jaipur, 2001. Indrani Mazumdar, Women and Globalisation: The Impact on Women Workers in the Formal and Informal Sectors in India, Stree, Delhi, 2007. Jagdish Bhagwati In Defence of Globalisation, Oxford University Press, Delhi, 2004. Jan Breman and Parthiv Shah, Working in the mill no more, Oxford University Press, Delhi, 2005. Jan Breman, Footloose Labour: Working in India’s Informal Economy, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1996. Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen, India: Development and Participation, Oxford University Press, Delhi, Third Impression, 2007. John K.Galbraith, Money: Whence it Came, Whence it Went, Indian Book Company, New Delhi, 1975. Joseph Stiglitz, Globalisation and its Discontents, Penguin Books India, New Delhi, 2003. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Landmark Judgments on Consumer Protection, Universal Law Publishing Co., Delhi, 2005. Tirthankar Roy, The Economic History of India, 1857-1947, Oxford University Press, Delhi, Second Edition, 2006. Government Publications Economic Survey, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Key Results of Employment-Unemployment Rounds, National Sample Survey Organisation, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Govt of India, New Delhi. National Human Development Report , Planning Commission, Government of India, New Delhi. National Family Health Survey 4 (2015–16), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi and International Institute of Population Studies, Mumbai. Other Reports Handbook of Statistics on Indian Economy, Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai. Human Development Report, United Nations Development Programme, New York. World Development Indicators, The World Bank, Washington. 92 U NDERST ANDING E CONOMIC D EVEL NDERSTANDING OPMENT EVELOPMENT 2024-25