Under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, a consumer is guaranteed the following rights:

• Right to be protected against the marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property
• Right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices
• Right to be assured , wherever possible , access to a variety of goods and services at competitive prices
• Right to be heard and to be assured that consumers' interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums
• Right to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and unscrupulous exploitation of consumers
• Right to consumer education.

             The procedure for filing a complaint is very simple. It can be made on a piece of paper with the necessary particulars.

• There is no fee for filing a complaint before the District Forum, the State Commission or the National Commission. (A stamp paper is also not required). There should be 3 to 5 copies of the complaint on plain paper
• The complainant or his authorized agent can present the complaint in person
• The complaint can be sent by post to the appropriate Forum / Commission
• A complaint should contain the following information:-
  (a) the name, description and the address of the complainant
  (b) the name , description and address of the opposite party or parties, as the case may be, as far as they can be ascertained
  (c) The facts relating to complaint and when and where it arose
  (d) Documents, if any, in support of the allegations contained in the complaint
  (e) The relief which the complainant is seeking
• The complaint should be signed by the complainant or his authorized agent
• The complaint is to be filed within two years from the date on which cause of action has arisen.