critically examine the progress of consumer movement in india.
Answers
Answer:
The consumer movement in India has evolved vastly since it began. There has been a significant change in consumer awareness in the country. Till the enactment of COPRA in 1986, the consumer movement did not bear much force, but ever since its inception, the movement has been empowered substantially. The setting up of consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move. However, in contemporary India, the consumer redressal process is quite complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Filing cases, attending court proceedings, hiring lawyers, and other procedures make it cumbersome.
The number of consumer groups and their activities has increased. Currently, about 700 consumer groups work in the country but only 20-25 groups have been recognized by the government. The existing laws are not effective as far as compensation for defective products goes.
Even after more than 25 years of enactment of Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), a large section of consumers are unaware of their rights. Often rules and regulations applicable to marketplace are not followed.
Answer:
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Explanation:
(i)In India, the consumer movement as a ‘social force’ originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices.
(ii)Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.
(iii)Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.
(iv)Because of all these efforts, the movement succeeded in bringing pressure on business firms as well as government to correct business conduct which may be unfair and against the interests of consumers at large.