On Consumer Rights Day, Consumer panel urges public to check ISI marks on goods

President of Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission A.K. Naveen Kumari has called upon consumers to check for quality certifications like ISI on products before purchasing them.

The presence of such quality certification marks indicates that the products meet quality standards and have been certified by the government before entering the market, said Ms. Kumari after inaugurating a programme on the occasion of World Consumer Rights’ Day in Mysuru on Wednesday.

While ISI or Indian Standards Institute is a quality certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for industrial and electrical goods, the official mark certifying the purity and authenticity of products like gold and silver jewellery is Hallmark.

Ms. Kumari also emphasised the need for consumers to check whether the product they are purchasing has crossed its expiry date.

The World Consumer Rights’ Day programme was organised in Mysuru by the district administration, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mysuru District Legal Services Authority and Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions.

Pointing out that the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 replaced the earlier legislation of 1986, expanding the services available to the consumers, Ms. Kumari said there is a provision in the law for a consumer to file a complaint if he or she is cheated for as little as one rupee.

A provision has also been made for filing consumer complaints online without having to physically approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.

“If a purchased product is found to be of poor quality, consumers can file a complaint along with a sample. Complaints can also be lodged if banks charge interest higher than prescribed rates, or if consumers are misled by advertisements,” she said.

Consumers are also entitled to seek redressal under the Act in cases of fraud by insurance companies, cheating in the purchase of medical goods and medicines, or medical negligence, she added.

Meanwhile, a member of the Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission M.K. Lalitha, who was also present on the occasion, said there was a need for consumers to be well-informed in the present-day context. “They should know how to file complaints if they are cheated while purchasing goods or services”, she said.

Any individual above 18 years of age can file a complaint under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act of 2019.

She said that consumers should obtain a receipt while purchasing any product, as it will help while filing complaints in case any issues arise in future.

Senior Civil Judge Amarnath K.K., who is also the member secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, said the consumers must ensure that the receipt issued at the time of purchase contains a GST number, as this will be useful while filing complaints in case of fraud.

Joint director of Food and Civil Supplies Department, Mysuru, Manteswamy and secretary of Sarada Vilas Institutions R. Dinesh were among those present at the programme.