The Consumer Protection Act, 1986

The Act enshrines all the consumers' rights which are internationally accepted. As per the Act, the consumer protection councils have been established at Central, State and District levels to promote and protect the consumer rights. They are:

• Right to Safety: To be protected against the sale of goods and services which are spurious/hazardous for the life.
• Right to Information: To know the quality, quantity, weight and the price of goods/services being paid for, so that one is not cheated by unfair trade practices.
• Right to Choose: To be assured, wherever possible, access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices.
• Right to be Heard: To be heard and to be assured that the interest would receive due consideration at appropriate fora.
• Right to Seek Redressal: To seek legal redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices or exploitation.
• Right to Consumer Education: To have access to consumer education.

The government has declared 24 December as 'National Consumer Day', since the President gave his assent on that day to the enactment of the historic Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Besides this, 15 March is observed as 'World Consumer Rights Day' every year.