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 detailed above is The Right to Safety.

1. Understanding the Right to Safety:

The Right to Safety is a fundamental consumer entitlement ensuring protection against hazardous products and services. Consumers expect purchased items to be safe and not detrimental to their well-being. If a product proves unsafe or harmful, consumers have the right to seek recourse or compensation.

2. The Right to Safety Illustrated in 'Karamati Sweets':

In the 'Karamati Sweets' scenario, Bholaram's use of adulterated khoya and paneer resulted in customers consuming hazardous products, thereby infringing upon their right to safety. This led to widespread illness among consumers due to the unsafe products sold by the establishment.

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

Raghav, associated with the NGO 'Meri Voice,' recognized the critical need for consumer education regarding their rights and available remedies. He initiated a campaign within the village to inform residents about their consumer rights, specifically the right to safety. Through his outreach, villagers were educated on their entitlement to protection from unsafe products and their capacity to pursue compensation for damages caused by 'Karamati Sweets.'

4. Importance of the Right to Safety:

• Protection from Harm: This right safeguards consumers from products that pose risks to their health or safety, preventing them from suffering consequences of unsafe goods.
• Consumer Confidence: Assured product safety enhances consumer trust and fosters stronger relationships between businesses and their clientele.
• Legal Recourse: The right to safety empowers consumers to seek legal action when harmed by unsafe products, as exemplified by Raghav's awareness initiatives.

5. Final Answer:

The consumer right under discussion is The Right to Safety, which shields consumers from dangerous and unsafe products. 'Karamati Sweets' contravened this right by distributing adulterated sweets, while Raghav's awareness campaign empowered villagers to assert their right to safety and seek justice.