Plea on consumers 'right to know': SC grants six weeks to states, others to file responses

The Supreme Court has granted six weeks for states and Union Territories to respond to a plea seeking to recognize consumers' right to know about product quality, purity, and certification, as well as details of distributors and sellers. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the petition, which argues that this right is vital for informed decision-making and protection against unfair or restrictive trade practices.

The petition, filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, noted that responses have been received from only a few states, including Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Assam, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The court has posted the matter for further hearing after three months. The plea also calls for a directive to ensure that all distributors, traders, and shop owners display their registration details at the entry gate.

The right to know, according to the petition, empowers consumers to avoid fraudulent or deceptive practices and seek redressal through consumer forums if they have issues with products or services.