Read the following situation and answer the questions that follow:
While shopping at a supermarket, Arjun notices that a well-known brand of packaged biscuits does not display the date of manufacture or the list of ingredients on the packaging. The price sticker placed by the shop is also higher than the printed MRP. His friend says, 'Just buy it — don't waste time checking all this.'
(i) Name the consumer right that requires manufacturers to display ingredients, date of manufacture and expiry date on packaging. (1 mark)
(ii) Is the shopkeeper justified in charging more than the MRP? What can Arjun do about it? (1 mark)
(iii) How does an alert consumer like Arjun, who checks labels and refuses to pay above MRP, contribute to keeping businesses accountable? What does this suggest about the responsibility of consumers in strengthening the consumer movement? (2 marks)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 13:26 · grounding rag
Model Answer
(i) The consumer right involved is the Right to Information. It requires manufacturers to display details such as ingredients, date of manufacture, expiry date, price (MRP), and address of the manufacturer on the packaging.
(ii) No, the shopkeeper is not justified. Charging above the MRP is illegal. Arjun can complain to the shopkeeper, and if unresolved, file a case in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission under COPRA.
(iii) By checking labels and refusing to pay above MRP, Arjun exercises his right to information and acts as an alert consumer. Such behaviour forces businesses to follow rules and maintain quality. As the textbook states, consumer movements can be effective only with consumers' active involvement. This shows that every consumer has a responsibility to be informed, question unfair practices, and participate voluntarily in strengthening the consumer movement.
Source: Chapter 5 — Consumer Rights, Sections: "Information about Goods and Services" and "Taking the Consumer Movement Forward"
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Explanation
- (i) Always name the specific right — "Right to Information" — not just "consumer rights."
- (ii) Two points needed: (a) shopkeeper is wrong, (b) what Arjun can do — mention the Consumer Commission.
- (iii) This 2-mark part needs two ideas: how alert consumers keep businesses accountable + what it suggests about consumer responsibility. The textbook phrase about "active involvement" is a strong quote to use. Avoid making it too long.