Question

Kewalram started a sweets shop 'Karamati Sweets' in 1950. The sweets were famous all over India for their good quality and people would come from far and wide to purchase sweets from him. As he grew old, he could no longer run the shop. So, he sold the shop to one of his neighbours 'Bholaram'. After a few months, to further increase the revenue, 'Bholaram' started engaging in unfair trade practices like using adulterated khoya and paneer. He thought that no one would know about it as 'Karamati Sweets' had a good image in the eyes of the people. Slowly, people started falling sick after consuming sweets purchased from 'Karamati Sweets' but they did not know where to go and to whom to complain. Raghav, a resident of the village had recently completed his studies. He was also a member of a non-governmental organisation. 'Meri Voice'. He felt that the villagers should be made aware about the rights and reliefs available to them. He started creating awareness about consumer rights among the villagers to protect their interest through a series of talks and presentations in the village. (a) Identify and explain the consumer right discussed in the above para. (b) Also, identify and explain the consumer right violated by 'Bholaram' in the above case.

Hint:

Safety right violations always involve physical/health harm. Education right involves awareness building.

Answer 1

(a) Right Discussed: Right to Consumer Education Explanation:
1. Key Aspects: - Raghav's awareness campaigns - NGO's educational initiatives - Information about legal remedies 
2. Legal Basis: - Consumer Protection Act 2019, Section 2(9)(vi) - Government's Jago Grahak Jago program 
(b) Right Violated: Right to Safety Explanation: 
1. Violation Evidence: - Adulterated ingredients causing illness - Health hazards from substandard food 
2. Legal Provisions: - Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 - Punishment: Up to ₹10 lakh fine + imprisonment Other affected rights: - Right to be informed (no disclosure of adulteration) - Right to seek redressal (initially unavailable)