Question

Write a note on the Consumer Movement in India (in about 250 words).

Answer 1

It was thought that passage of the Consumer Protection Act in India in 1986 would encourage consumers to stand up for their rights and lead to an overwhelming number of disputes in consumer courts. Although a consumer movement has yet to get going in India, existence of the act has stimulated the creation of many consumer organizations across the country. The number has such organizations has more the doubled in the last few years so that there are now 600-800 organizations in the voluntary sector. The movement has not blossomed because not all of the organizations are active enough to make an impact, there has hardly been any unified action which would demonstrate their strength, and there has been no active consumer participation in the movements. Consumers claim that the lack of consumer education makes them passive and apathetic, and blame consumer organizations. The majority of consumers in the country are even unaware of the existence of consumer courts to which they make take their grievances. Consumer rights organizations, however, counter that they lack sufficient funds and blame the government for their inaction. The author acknowledges criticism that the Indian consumer movement is elitist and considers the need to focus upon rural consumers, the significant contributions that organizations have made in laying the foundations for change, the need for consumer education, the need for specialists, the particular need for consumer protection with regard to health-related products, and support by voluntary health groups.

Answer 2

Although a consumer movement has yet to get going in India, existence of the act has stimulated the creation of many consumer organizations across the country. ... The majority ofconsumers in the country are even unaware of the existence of consumercourts to which they make take their grievances.

The following features of consumer movement are noteworthy:

1. It is basically a protest movement.

2. It is a mass movement in the sense that masses are the general body of consumers.

3. It is generally a non-official movement. Public and voluntary consumers, organisations initiate the movement.

4. Though it is not a government-sponsored movement, it is recognised and backed up by the Government.