National Consumer Day

Question: When is the National Consumer Day observed?
(a) 24 December
(b) 22 December
(c) 21 December
(d) 25 December
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

• National Consumer Day was observed on December 24, 2019.
• Objective of the day is to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
• The theme this year is “Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints”.
• On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 was enacted which aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation, such as defective goods, deficiency in services and unfair trade practices. 

Consumer Protection Act, 1986:

• As per this act, the rights were allowed from the rights enshrined in between Articles 14 to 19 of the Constitution of India. 
• The RTI was opened up to the Governance sector to ensure consumer protection.
• The rights covered under this act were – Right to Safety, Right to be Informed, Right to Choose, Right to be heard, Right to seek Redressal, Right to Consumer Education.

Consumer Protection Act, 2019:

• The Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 on the 20th December 2019. The Bill seeks to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
• Intention of the Act is to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers by establishing an authority named as “Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)”.
• The agency can initiate class action, including enforcing recall, refund and return of products.
• The Act also seeks to establish Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions at District, State and National level. 

Links:

http://newsonair.nic.in/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=357077

http://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/social-awareness/consumer-education/national-consumer-day