Prelims 2012 · archive
MediumWith reference to consumers' rights/ privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1.Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing.
- 2.When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid.
- 3.In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his/her behalf.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Food law lets a purchaser have food analysed by the official Food Analyst. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 lets the legal heir or representative of a deceased consumer file a complaint. Consumer forums did charge a complaint fee, so statement 2 is wrong. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
- ✓ 1. Section 40 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 lets any purchaser of food, other than a Food Safety Officer, have it analysed by the Food Analyst. The purchaser pays the prescribed fee and receives a report of the analysis.
- ✗ 2. Rule 9A of the Consumer Protection Rules, 1987 requires a fee with a complaint to the District Forum. For claims up to Rs 1 lakh, complainants other than Antyodaya Anna Yojana card-holders paid Rs 100. Claims above Rs 1 lakh and up to Rs 5 lakh carried a fee of Rs 200, with higher fees for larger claims.
- ✓ 3. Section 2(1)(b)(v) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 includes 'in case of death of a consumer, his legal heir or representative' in the definition of complainant.
- • Since then The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has since been replaced by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The answer above reflects the law on the 2012 exam date.
Remember · Consumer rights in 2012: purchasers could get food tested by the Food Analyst, and legal heirs could file complaints. Complaints needed a fee; only Antyodaya cardholders with claims up to Rs 1 lakh paid nothing.
Sources
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI), s. 40 Purchaser may have food analysed ↗ “Nothing contained in this Act shall be held to prevent a purchaser of any article of food other than a Food Safety Officer from having such article analysed by the Food Analyst”
- Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (Delhi Government copy), s. 2(1)(b) ↗ “(v) in case of death of a consumer, his legal heir or representative”
- Consumer Protection Rules, 1987, Rule 9A: Fee for making complaints before District Forum (West Bengal consumer affairs site) ↗ “Upto one lakh rupees For complainants other than Antyodaya Anna Yojana card holders. Rs.100 (3) Above one lakh and upto five lakh rupees Rs.200”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2012, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·