World Consumer Rights Day 2021

 World Consumer Rights Day 2021

The World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on March 15. The day is observed to raise awareness about a consumer's rights and needs so as to enable the consumer to fight against social injustices. The World Consumer Rights Day 2021 theme is to gather all the consumers in a fight to "Tackle Plastic Pollution".

History

The consumer movement in India started in 1966 from Maharashtra. After the establishment of the Grahak Panchayat in Pune in the year 1974, institutions for consumer welfare were formed in many states and this movement continued to grow. On 9 December 1986, the Consumer Protection Bill was passed on the initiative of the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and came into force nationwide after the President's signature. Last year, on 20 July, an amendment in this law has been made to make customers more empowered, competent.

The Central Government has made several major changes in the Consumer Protection Act. After the enactment of the new consumer law, the accountability of companies and artists who advertise for them has become more than ever. The government has also included e-commerce companies under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 (Consumer Protection Act, 2019).

Consumer right in India-

1. Can file complaint anywhere

2. Celebrities accountable too

3. Online shopping companies included

4. Vendor also in scope

5. Fine or jail on adulteration practice

6. Complaint handling

7. Class action suits against companie

8. Department will become an intermediary

9. Right to information to the customer

10. Customer's right to redress grievances