write the three factors which gave birth to the consumer movement of india
Answers
The consumer movement arose due to the following factors
(i) Dissatisfaction of consumers, as many unfair practices were being indulged by the sellers like short weighing, black marketing, adulteration, etc.
(ii) There was no legal system available for consumers to protect them from exploitation in the marketplace.
If consumers were not happy with a particular brand, product or shop, they generally avoid buying that brand or product or would stop purchasing from that particular shop.
(iii) It was presumed that it was the responsibility of consumers to be careful while buying a commodity or availing of a service.
Evolution of Consumer Movement The Consumer Movement in India started as a social force with the need to protect consumers against unfair and unethical trade practices being followed by many retailers and manufacturers.
These included creating artificial shortages, hoarding cereals and other agricultural products, black marketing of goods and adulteration of cooking oils and food items.
Till 1986, consumer organisations were highlighting issues by writing articles in newspapers and magazines about these bad practices of merchants. But nowadays, as the consumers have become more aware, the number of consumer groups have grown who have highlighted these malpractices. In 1986, the Government of India enacted the Consumer Protection Act, also known as COPRA. This was a major step in the Consumer Movement in India.
The factors that gave birth to the consumer movement in India are manifold. The consumer movement arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers. It started as a "social force" with the need to protect and promote consumer interests against unfair and unethical trade practices. These unfair practices in the market cause heavy loss to the consumer, they suffer from monetary loss as well as it affects their health. Extreme food shortages, hoarding, black marketing and adulteration of food led to the consumer movement becoming an organised arena in the 1960s. Till the 1970s, consumer organisations were mostly busy writing articles in newspaper, magazine and holding exhibitions. More recently, there has been an upsurge in the number of consumer groups who have shown concern towards ration shop malpractices and overcrowding of public transport vehicles. India has witnessed an upsurge in the number of consumer groups and these have succeeded in bringing pressure on business firms as well as government to correct business conduct which may be unfair and against the interest of the consumers at large.In 1986, the Indian government enacted the Consumer Protection Act, also known as COPRA. This was a major step in the consumer movement in India.