Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India.
The consumer movement India arose out of dissatisfaction of the consumers as many unfair practices were being indulged in by the sellers. There was no legal system available to consumers to protect them from exploitation in the marketplace.
Consumers had to fend for themselves.
It took many years for organisations in India, and around the world, to create awareness amongst people.
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.
The Consumer movement was born in an organised form in the 1960s. In the early 1970s,consumer organisations/groups were formed to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport. More recently, India witnessed an upsurge in the number of consumer groups.
A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, popularly known as COPRA.
In order to protect the consumers from exploitation and to save them from adulterated and substandard goods and deficient services the Consumer Protection Act came into force on 15th April, 1986 and it applies to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples.
Describe some of your duties as consumers if you visit a shopping complex in your locality.
Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?
Say True or False.
(i) COPRA applies only to goods.
(ii) India is one of the many countries in the world which has exclusive courts for consumer redressal.
(iii) When a consumer feels that he has been exploited, he must file a case in the District Consumer Court.
(iv) It is worthwhile to move to consumer courts only if the damages incurred are of high value.
(v) Hallmark is the certification maintained for standardisation of jewellry.
(vi) The consumer redressal process is very simple and quick.
(vii) A consumer has the right to get compensation depending on the degree of the damage.
Suppose you buy a bottle of honey and a biscuit packet. Which logo or mark you will have to look for and why?
What are the difficulties a consumer faces when he wants to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitatio
Why are rules and regulations required in the marketplace? Illustrate with a few examples .