National Consumer Day is observed on December 24 every year since 1986, as on this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of this Act was considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in India .
This Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices.
This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
World Consumer Rights Day is observed on 15th March every year.
Consumer Protection Act, 1986 makes provision for the establishment of consumer councils and other authorities for the settlement of consumers’ disputes and for matters connected therewith.
The objectives of the Consumer Council is to promote and protect the rights of the consumers such as,
- the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property.
- the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services.
- the right to be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
- the right to be heard and to be assured that consumer’s interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums.
- the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices
- the right to consumer education.
- the right against consumer exploitation.