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.

Hint:

For consumer rights questions, remember "SIR BEC" - Safety, Information, Redressal, Basic needs, Education, Choice. Always quote relevant sections.

Answer 1

The consumer right discussed in the paragraph above is The Right to Safety.

1. Understanding the Right to Safety:

The Right to Safety is one of the fundamental rights of a consumer that ensures protection from products and services that may be hazardous to health or life. Consumers are entitled to expect that the products they purchase are safe for use and do not pose any harm to their well-being. In case a product is found to be unsafe or harmful, the consumer has the right to seek compensation or relief.

2. How the Right to Safety is Illustrated in 'Karamati Sweets':

In the case of 'Karamati Sweets,' Bholaram's decision to use adulterated khoya and paneer in the sweets led to the consumption of harmful products by the customers. The consumers who bought sweets from the shop unknowingly consumed unhealthy and potentially dangerous products, which violated their right to safety. As a result, people began falling sick due to the unsafe products.

3. Role of Raghav and the NGO 'Meri Voice':

Raghav, a member of the non-governmental organization 'Meri Voice,' realized the need for consumer awareness about their rights and the available relief mechanisms. He took action by creating awareness in the village about consumer rights, including the right to safety. Through talks and presentations, he helped the villagers understand that they had the right to protection from unsafe products and that they could seek remedies or compensation for the harm caused by 'Karamati Sweets.'

4. Why the Right to Safety is Important:

• Protection from Harm: Consumers need to be protected from products that can harm their health or safety. The right to safety ensures that consumers do not suffer from unsafe or harmful goods.
• Consumer Confidence: Ensuring that products are safe boosts consumer confidence and helps in building trust between businesses and consumers.
• Legal Remedies: The right to safety also empowers consumers to take action if they are harmed by unsafe products, as seen in the awareness efforts by Raghav.

5. Final Answer:

The consumer right discussed in the paragraph is The Right to Safety, which protects consumers from harmful and unsafe products. In this case, 'Karamati Sweets' violated this right by selling adulterated sweets, and Raghav's awareness campaign helped the villagers understand their right to safety and seek justice.