Question

Meera purchased a mixer-grinder of a reputed brand from a well-known electronic store for \( \text{₹} 5,000 \). Within ten days, the mixer-grinder stopped working. Meera visited the shop for repair or replacement showing the cash memo and the warranty card but the shopkeeper refused to help her. Though the product was only for \( \text{₹} 5,000 \), she filed a complaint at the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.
The Forum ordered the store to replace the product within 30 days. They also added \( \text{₹} 1,000 \) as compensation for mental harassment and \( \text{₹} 800 \) for legal costs.

State two responsibilities fulfilled by Meera and two reliefs which Meera got through Consumer Redressal Forum.

Hint:

Always keep the cash memo as it is the primary evidence of purchase in consumer courts. Do not hesitate to file a complaint even for low-value items; it helps in establishing consumer rights. Redressal agencies can provide compensation for 'pain and suffering' in addition to fixing the product defect.

Answer 1

Step 1: Identify the concept being tested.
This case tests Consumer Responsibilities and the Reliefs available to a consumer under the Consumer Protection Act, through Meera's complaint about her faulty mixer-grinder.
Step 2: Explain the concept.
Consumers have certain responsibilities of their own, such as keeping proof of purchase and standing up for their rights, which strengthen their case when something goes wrong. If a consumer's complaint is upheld, the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum can award several kinds of relief, including replacement, refund or compensation.
Step 3: Apply the concept to the facts of the case.
Meera kept and produced her cash memo and warranty card, which shows she fulfilled her responsibility of retaining proof of purchase. She also asserted herself by filing a complaint instead of accepting the shopkeeper's refusal, showing she stood up for a fair deal even though the product was low value. In response, the Forum ordered replacement of the mixer-grinder, and awarded compensation of ₹1,000 for mental harassment and ₹800 towards her legal costs.
Step 4: Final answer.
Responsibilities fulfilled by Meera: keeping proof of purchase, the cash memo and warranty card, and asserting her right to a fair deal by filing a complaint. Reliefs granted by the Forum: replacement of the defective product, ₹1,000 compensation for mental harassment, and ₹800 for legal costs.