How can consumer

A consumer is any person who consumes and receives satisfaction by paying the value for purchasing any commodity. The situation in which the buyers do not receive the benefits and services according to the buyer's value or the situation in which the sellers receives or charges the value of commodities higher than its value is known as consumer exploitation.

Consumer exploitation can be through improper weighing, impurity, adulteration, deliberate hiding of facts, creating artificial shortages and excess in the market or through physical, mental and intellectual damages.

To prevent the exploitation faced by the consumers in the market, the Consumers Protection Act was enacted in 1986. The act was enacted to protect the interests of the consumers give them the right to be protected against various exploitations faced by them. It enabled the establishments of various consumer councils and other legislatures for protecting their interests. The rights that consumers receive under this act are:

• Right to protection against material losses- The consumers have the right to be legally protected against the manufacturing, marketing and selling of commodities and services that are harmful to their livelihood. It prohibits the sale of adulterated commodities and such items that pose a threat to the life of people.

• Right to information- The consumers have the right to be informed about the quantity, quality, standards and values of the commodities sold by the sellers in the market.

• Right to get different types of goods at competitive prices- The consumers have the right to be provided with various types of goods at different competitive prices by the government and other authorities. Monopolies should not be entertained in the market unless they are under the authority of the government.

• Right to attention before appropriate forums- The consumers have the right to be presented before and heard in various forums dealing with the resolution of the disputes concerning the rights of the consumers. The National Council has been given the responsibility to ensure that the consumers are properly understood and considered.

• Rights to receive rewards against immoral exploitations- The consumers have the right to receive rewards and compensations against the unfair and unlawful means and trade practices used against them. They have the right to be reimbursed for the immoral exploitations and issues faced by them.

• Right to consumer education- The consumers have the right to be given proper education and awareness about the various exploitations and oppressions faced by them and their right to fight against such mistreatments. According to the National Consumer Council, once the consumers become aware of their rights, they will get the power to fight against such injustices.

These are some of the basic methods through which the exploitation of consumers can be prevented in the market. The law ensures the provision of justice with equality irrespective of any discriminations.