Class 10 Economics Chapter 5 Extra Questions and Answers Consumer Rights

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Class 10 Economics Chapter 5 Extra Questions and Answers Consumer Rights

Consumer Rights Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Economics Chapter 5 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1.
What is COPRA? When was it introduced?
Answer:
The Consumer Protection Act is popularly known as COPRA. It was introduced by the Government of India in 1986.

Question 2.
How will you justify that you are an alert consumer while buying a commodity from the market. Give two examples/situations to support you.
Answer:
I will see the following

  • ISI Mark
  • Expiry Date

Question 3.
Which logo would you like to see for purchasing electrical goods?
Answer:
I would see a logo with the letters ISI while purchasing electrical goods.

Question 4.
Which logo would you like to see while purchasing a tin of edible oil?
Answer:
I would see a logo with the letters Agmark while purchasing a tin of edible oil.

Question 5.
Suppose your parents want to purchase gold jewellery along with you; then which logo will you look for on the jewellery?
Answer:
I would look for a logo with the letters Hallmark on the jewellery.

Question 6.
Why do individual consumers often find themselves in weak position?
Answer:
Whenever a buyer makes a complaint regarding a good or service that he/she had bought, the seller tries to shift all the responsibility on to him/her.

Question 7.
What did consumers in earlier times do when they were not happy with a particular brand product or shop?
Answer:
They generally avoided buying that brand product or would stop purchasing from that shop.

Question 8.
What were the two factors responsible for consumer movement in India?
Answer:

  • Consumers were fed up with the unfair practices; the sellers were indulged in.
  • There was no legal system available to consumers to protect them from exploitation in the market place.

Question 9.
Which factors gave birth to consumer movement in India in the 1960s?
Answer:
Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil.

Question 10.
How do producers and consumers participate in the market?
Answer:

  • Producers participate in the market when they sell their goods and services to the consumers.
  • Consumers participate in the market when they purchase these goods and services as per their need.

Question 11.
What were consumer organisations doing till the 1970s?
Answer:
They were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions.

Question 12.
Why did consumer organisations form consumer groups?
Answer:
Consumer organisations formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

Question 13.
When we buy any commodity, we will find certain details given on the packing. What are these details about?
Answer:
These details are about ingredients used i.e., price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer.

Question 14.
When we buy garments, what type of information will we find?
Answer:
When we buy garments, we will find information on instructions for washing.

Question 15.
Why is it that rules have been made so that the manufacturer displays this information?
Answer:
It is because consumers have the right to get information about the particulars of goods and services that they buy.

Question 16.
What is Right to Information (RTI) Act?
Answer:
The Right to Information Act ensures its citizens all the information about the functions of government departments.

Question 17.
When is the National Consumer’s Day observed in India?
Answer:
The National Consumer’s Day is observed in India on 24 December every year. It was on this day that the Indian Parliament enacted the Consumer Protection Act in 1986.

Question 18.
What are Consumer Forums?
Answer:
They are organisations which work for the rights of consumers and guide them how to file cases in consumer courts. These organisations are also called Consumer Protection Councils.

Question 19.
How do logos and certification help consumers while purchasing the goods and services?
Answer:
Logos and certification help consumers get assured of quality.

Question 20.
What does consumer do if his case is dismissed in district level court?
Answer:
If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can appeal in state and then in national level courts.

Consumer Rights Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Economics Chapter 5 Short Answers Type

Question 1.
We often complain about lack of civic amenities like erratic water and power supply, bad road, garbage disposal, etc. Name the right that gives us the power to question. Discuss.
Answer:

  • The Right to Information (RTI) Act gives us the power of question.
  • This Act was passed in the Parliament in 2005. It ensures citizens all the information about the functions of the government departments.
  • The services provided by the government departments can be reviewed.

Question 2.
Describe the conditions in which markets do not work in a fair manner.
Answer:

  • Markets do not work in a fair manner when producers are few and powerful whereas consumers
    purchase in small amounts and are scattered.
  • This happens especially when large companies are producing these goods. These companies with huge wealth, power and approach can manipulate the market in various ways.
  • At times false information is passed on through the media, and other sources to attract ignorant consumers.

Question 3.
Explain with an example how one can use the ‘Right to Seek Redressal’ against unfair trade practices and exploitation.
OR
Explain with an example how you can use the right to seek redressal.
Answer:
Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a customer, he/she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage. If the aggrieved person does not get his/her compensation, he/she can file a case in a district level consumer court. There he/she will have to produce the bill and warranty paper of the purchased item before the court. If everything goes in the consumer’s favour, the court will order the dealer to give him the compensation.

Question 4.
How has a three tier quasi-judicial machinery been set up for redressal of consumer disputes?
Answer:

  • Under COPRA, three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels has been set, up for redressal of consumer disputes.
  • The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakhs, the state level courts between ₹ 20 lakhs and ₹ 1 crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding Rs 1 crore.
  • If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can also appeal in state and then in national level courts.

Question 5.
Explain any three factors which gave birth to the consumer movement in India.
Answer:
The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are given below
(i) Consumers were at great loss due to unethical and unfair trade practices in the marketplace. It was felt necessary to protect and promote the interests of consumers against such practices.

(ii) Consumers were fed up with rampant food shortages, hoardings, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil. These factors gave birth to the consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.

(iii) Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the maipractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

(iv) However, India saw a sudden increase in the number of consumer groups in recent times because consumer exploitation by the private traders had aggravated. These groups are very active and have stimulated the consumer movement in the country.

(v) Various organisations locally known as Consumer Forums or Consumer Protection councils have also come into existence. The activities of these consumer forums have forced the Indian government to enact the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.

Question 6.
How do we participate in the market as producers and consumers? Explain with three examples.
Answer:
We participate in the market both as producers and consumers, producers of goods and services we could be working in any of the sectors such as agriculture, industry, or services. Consumers participate in the market when they purchase goods and services that they need. These are the final goods that people as consumers use.

Example
A farmer sells wheat to a flour mill. The mill grinds the wheat and sells the flour to a biscuit company. The biscuit company uses the flour and other things such as sugar and oil to make biscuit packets. It sells biscuits in the market to the consumers. Biscuits are final goods.

Question 7.
Explain the ‘Right to Seek Redressal’ with an example.
Answer:
Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a customer, he/she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage. If the aggrieved person does not get his/her compensation, he/she can file a case in a district level consumer court. There he/she will have to produce the bill and warranty paper of the purchased item before the court. If everything goes in the consumer’s favour, the court will order the dealer to give him the compensation.

Question 8.
Explain the ways in which consumers are exploited in the market.
Answer:
The various ways by which people may be exploited in the market are—

  • Goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighted correctly.
  • Sometimes traders add charges that were not mentioned before.
  • Sometimes adulterated/defective goods are sold.
  • Electronic goods produced locally lack the required inbuilt safeguards, which may cause accidents.
  • Sellers sometimes mislead consumers by giving information about the products, price, quality,safety, expiry date, etc.
  • Consumers are often harassed in getting telephone connections or licensed items.
  • Many suppliers do not provide satisfactory after-sale service in case of home appliances or electronic equipments.

Question 9.
How do the large companies often manipulate the markets? Explain with an example.
Answer:
Large companies with huge wealth, power and approach manipulate the market in various ways. They often try to eliminate their competitors by lowering down the price of various products. They often spread false information among the consumers to attract them.

For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. After long years of struggle the company finally accepted 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 10.
“There is a great need for acquiring the knowledge and skill to become a well-informed consumer”. Support this statement.
OR
Explain why a consumer should learn to be well-informed.
Answer:
Consumers should learn to be well-informed because only then they could avoid exploitation and unfair trade practices that happen in the marketplace in various ways. For example, sometimes shopkeepers weigh less than what they should. Sometimes traders sell adulterated/defective goods. Sometimes large companies try to manipulate the market by spreading false information.

They do so to attract ignorant consumers. 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 11.
How does ‘Right to Safety’ help consumers? Explain with an example.
Answer:
(i) Safety is everyone’s right. While using many goods and services, we as consumers, have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are hazardous to life and property.

(ii) Producers need to strictly follow the required safety rules and regulations. There are many goods and services that we purchase that require special attention to safety.

(iii) For example, pressure cookers have a safety valve which, if it is defective, can cause a serious accident. The manufactures of the safety valve have to ensure high quality.

Question 12.
Analyse the importance of the three-tier judicial machinery under consumer Protection Act (COPRA) 1986 for redressal of consumer disputes.
Answer:
(i) Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

(ii) The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakhs, the state level courts between ₹ 20 lakhs and ₹ 1 crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding ₹ 1 crore.

(iii) If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can also appeal in the state and then in national level courts. Thus, the Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

(iv) It strengthened the consumer movement and provided the consumers with the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he/ she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

Illustration: Amita purchased a gas stove from a retail outlet. Only after a few days of purchase she realised that the gas stove was defective. She complained to the dealer and the branch office, to no effect. She then went to the district consumers court and filed a case there. She herself pleaded the case in the court. The court judge verified the document and then ordered the dealer to replace her old gas stove with a brand new one at no extra cost. In this way, COPRA benefits consumers.

Consumer Rights Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Economics Chapter 5 Long Answers Type

Question 1.
COPRA has enabled the consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts. Explain with the help of an example how it benefits the consumers.
Answer:
(i) Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

(ii) The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakhs, the state level courts between ₹ 20 lakhs and ₹ 1 crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding ₹ 1 crore.

(iii) If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can also appeal in the state and then in national level courts. Thus, the Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

(iv) It strengthened the consumer movement and provided the consumers with the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he/ she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

Illustration: Amita purchased a gas stove from a retail outlet. Only after a few days of purchase she realised that the gas stove was defective. She complained to the dealer and the branch office, to no effect. She then went to the district consumers court and filed a case there. She herself pleaded the case in the court. The court judge verified the document and then ordered the dealer to replace her old gas stove with a brand new one at no extra cost. In this way, COPRA benefits consumers.

Question 2.
How do the large companies manipulate the market? Explain with examples.
Answer:
Large companies with huge wealth, power and approach manipulate the market in various ways. They often try to eliminate their competitors by lowering down the price of various products. They often spread false information among the consumers to attract them.

For example, a company for years sold powder milk for babies all over the world as the most scientific product claiming this to be better than mother’s milk. After long years of struggle the company finally accepted 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 3.
How does exploitation of consumers take place in the market? Explain with any five facts.
Answer:
The various ways by which people may be exploited in the market are
(i) Goods sold in the market are sometimes not measured or weighted correctly.
(ii) Sometimes traders add charges that were not mentioned before.
(iii) Sometimes adulterated/defective goods are sold.
(iv) Electronic goods produced locally lack the required inbuilt safeguards, which may cause accidents.
(v) Sellers sometimes mislead consumers by giving information about the products, price, quality,safety,
expiry date, etc.
(vi) Consumers are often harassed in getting telephone connections or licensed items.
(vii)  Many suppliers do not provide satisfactory after-sale service in case of home appliances or electronic equipments. Some of the factors which cause exploitation of consumers are –

  • Lack of awareness among consumers
  • Limited supply of goods/product,s
  • Misleading advertisements
  • Limited competition
  • Compromising attitude of consumers.

Question 4.
“Consumer movement can be effective only with the consumer’s active involvement”. Analyse the statement.
Answer:
(i) The consumer movement in India has not made good progress. There are a number of reasons behind it. For example, the existing laws are not effectively implemented, the consumer redressal process is expensive and time-consuming, etc.

(ii) If such is the situation, consumers will continue to be exploited in multiple ways. It is, therefore, necessary that they realise their role and importance. It requires a voluntary effort and struggle involving the participation of one and all.

(iii) If consumers are actively involved, companies will not mislead them by their false information. Instead they (companies) will offer better service and products.

(iv) Active participation by consumers gives protection to all involved in manufacturing chain from workers to consumers.

(v) If any one, as consumer is denied one’s rights, one should not keep silence because this will set wrong trend. Instead of it, one should move to the consumer court to get justice.

Question 5.
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Explain.
OR
Why are rules and regulations required for the protection of the consumers in the marketplace? Explain with examples.
Answer:
(i) Rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the marketplace invidual consumers often find themselves in a weak position because of the irresponsible attitude of the sellers.

(ii) Exploitation in the marketplace happens in various ways. For example, sometimes traders indulge in 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 defective goods are sold.

(iii) Large companies with huge wealth, power and approach often manipulate the market in various ways. At times false information is passed on through the inedia 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 this to be better than mother’s milk. The truth was that the company had been making false claims. After long years of struggle the company was made to surrender. Hence, there is a need for rules and regulations for the protection of consumers.

Question 6.
(a) Explain two reasons responsible for enacting Consumer Protection Act, 1986 by the Government of India.
(b) ‘Consumers have the right to be informed about goods and services they purchase’. Explain its three advantages.
Answer:
(a) Two reasons responsible for enacting Consumer Protection Act, 1986 were

  • Consumers were highly vulnerable in the marketplace. So, it was essential to protect them and promote their interests against unethical and unfair trade practices like boarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil, etc.
  • Large companies were indulged in manipulating the market by giving false information through media. Hence, it was necessary to stop these companies from exploiting consumers using such practices.

(b) Consumers have the right to be informed about goods and services they purchase. It has three advantages—

  • Consumers can then complain and ask for compensation or replacement if the product proves to be defective in any manner.
  • 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.
  • The ‘directions for proper use’ printed on the packets of medicines make consumers aware of risks associated with usage of that medicine.

Question 7.
Explain the rights of a consumer as enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
Answer:
The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are given below—
(i) Consumers were at great loss due to unethical and unfair trade practices in the marketplace. It was felt necessary to protect and promote the interests of consumers against such practices.

(ii) Consumers were fed up with rampant food shortages, hoardings, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil. These factors gave birth to the consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.

(iii) Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

(iv) However, India saw a sudden increase in the number of consumer groups in recent times because consumer exploitation by the private traders had aggravated. These groups are very active and
have stimulated the consumer movement in the country.

(v) Various organisations locally known as Consumer Forums or Consumer Protection councils have also come into existence. The activities of these consumer forums have forced the Indian government to enact the Consumer Protection Act 1986. popularly known as COPRA.

Question 8.
How did consumer movement originate as a ‘social force’ in India? Explain.
Answer:
The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are given below—
(i) Consumers were at great loss due to unethical and unfair trade practices in the marketplace. It was felt necessary to protect and promote the interests of consumers against such practices.

(ii) Consumers were fed up with rampant food shortages, hoardings, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil. These factors gave birth to the consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.

(iii) Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

(iv) However, India saw a sudden increase in the number of consumer groups in recent times because consumer exploitation by the private traders had aggravated. These groups are very active and have stimulated the consumer movement in the country.

(v) Various organisations locally known as Consumer Forums or Consumer Protection councils have also come into existence. The activities of these consumer forums have forced the Indian government to enact the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.

Question 9.
How can a consumer get justice when his rights are denied?
Answer:
Consumers have the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a customer, he/she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage. If the aggrieved person does not get his/her compensation, he/she can file a case in a district level consumer court. There he/she will have to produce the bill and warranty paper of the purchased item before the court. If everything goes in the consumer’s favour, the court will order the dealer to give him the compensation.

(i) Under COPRA, a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the district, state and national levels was set up for redressal of consumer disputes.

(ii) The district level court deals with the cases involving claims upto ₹ 20 lakhs, the state level courts between ₹ 20 lakhs and ₹ 1 crore and the national level court deals with the cases involving claims exceeding ₹ 1 crore.

(iii) If a case is dismissed in district level court, the consumer can also appeal in the state and then in national level courts. Thus, the Act has enabled us as consumers to have the right to represent in the consumer courts.

(iv) It strengthened the consumer movement and provided the consumers with the right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation. If any damage is done to a consumer, he/ she has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of damage.

Illustration: Amita purchased a gas stove from a retail outlet. Only after a few days of purchase she realised that the gas stove was defective. She complained to the dealer and the branch office, to no effect. She then went to the district consumers court and filed a case there. She herself pleaded the case in the court. The court judge verified the document and then ordered the dealer to replace her old gas stove with a brand new one at no extra cost. In this way, COPRA benefits consumers.

Consumer Rights Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Economics Chapter 5 Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

Question 1.
How is the consumer redressal process becoming cumbersome, expensive and time consuming? Explain.
Answer:

  • Many a time, consumers are required to engage lawyers. These cases require time for filling and attending the court proceedings etc.
  • In most purchases cash memos are not issued. Hence, evidence is not easy to gather. Moreover, most purchases in the market are small retail sales.
  • The existing laws are not very clear on the issue of compensation to consumers injured by defective products.
  • The enforcement of laws that protect workers especially in the unorganised sectors is weak. Also, rules and regulations for working of markets are often not followed.

Question 2.
What is Consumer Protection Act, 1986? Why was it enacted?
Answer:
Consumers were being harassed in the marketplace in various ways. Hence, it was necessary to check the unethical and unfair trade practices against the interest of consumers at large. A major step was taken in 1986 by the Indian government when it enacted the Consumer Protection Act, popularly known as COPRA.

Question 3.
What is standardisation of products? Mention any two organisations responsible for the standardisation of products in India.
Answer:
Standardisation is a framework of agreements to which all relevant parties in an industry or organisation must adhere to ensure that all processes associated with the creation of a good or performance of a service are performed within a set guidelines. This is done to ensure that the final product has consistent quality, and that any conclusions made are comparable with all other equivalent items in the same class. It helps consumers get assured of quality while purchasing goods and services.
The two organisations responsible for the standardisation of products in India are

  • Bureau of Indian Standards – It issues logos like ISI for industrial products and Hallmark for jewellery.
  • Ministry of Agriculture – It issues the logo with the letters Agmark for food items such as honey, spices, etc.

Consumer Rights Class 10 Extra Questions and Answer Economics Chapter 5 Value-based Questions (VBQs)

Question 1.
How do Consumer Protection Councils help consumers? Explain three ways.
Answer:
Consumer Protection Councils have come up in the wake of the consumer movement. These are organisations that are locally known as Consumer Forums. They are voluntary organisations and help consumers in the following ways

  • They guide consumers on how to file cases in the consumer courts.
  • On many occasions, they also represent individual consumers in the consumer courts.
  • They create awareness among the people for which they get financial support from the government.

Question 2.
What precautions do you suggest for a consumer to take while purchasing medicines from the market?
Answer:
While purchasing medicines from the market, we should take the following precautions:

(i) We should look for certain details about batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date and the address of the manufacturer, printed on the packet.

(ii) We should also look for ‘directions for proper use’ and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage of that medicine.

(iii) We should see that the chemist does not take more than the printed price on the packet of the medicine. This is indicated by MRP-Maxi mum Retail Price.