Q-Discuss consumer movement in India.

The Consumer Movement today is undergoing a silent revolution. The

movement is bringing qualitative and quantitative changes in the lives of people
enabling them to organise fhemselves as an effective force to reckon with. But
the path to reach this stage has not been easy. It has been a struggle against bad
business which always put profit before fairness in transactions. The first stage
of movement was more representational in nature, i.e., to make consumers
aware of their rights through speeches and articles in newspapers and magazines
and holding exhibitions. The second stage was direct action based on boycotting
of goods, picketing and demonstration. However, direct action had its own
limitations, that led to the third stage of professionally managed consumer
organisations. From educational activities and handling complaints, it ventured
into areas involving lobbying, litigation and laboratory testing. This gave good
results. Thus, for instance business sector has started taking notice and co-
operating with the movement. It has played a . role in hastening the process of
passing the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which has led to the fourth stage.
The Act enshrines the consumer rights and provides for setting up of quasi-
judicial authorities for redressal of consumer duputes. This act takes justice in
the socio-economic sphere a step closer to the common man.ovement in India
.Throw some Light on its objective and importance.
The consumer movement is an effort to promote consumer protection through
an organized social movement, which is in many places led by consumer
organizations. It advocates for the rights of consumers, especially when those
rights are actively breached by the actions of corporations, governments, and
other organizations which provide products and services to consumers.
Consumer movements also commonly advocate for increased health and safety
standards, honest information about products in advertising, and consumer
representation in political bodies.
Consumer movement in the present form came into being in the 60's in
India.The Consumer Movement today is undergoing a silent revolution. The
movement is bringing qualitative and quantitative changes in the lives of people
enabling them to organise themselves as an effective force to reckon with. But
the path to reach this stage has not been easy. It has been a struggle against bad
business which always put profit before fairness in transactions.The first stage
of movement was more representational in nature, i.e., to make consumers
aware of their rights through speeches and articles in newspapers and magazines
and holding exhibitions. The second stage was direct action based on boycotting
of
goods, picketing and demonstration. However, direct action had its own
limitations, that led to the third stage of professionally managed consumer
organisations. From educational activities and handling complaints, it ventured
into areas involving lobbying, litigation and laboratory testing. This gave good
results. Thus, for instance business sector has started taking notice and co-
operating with the movement. It has played a . role in hastening the process of
passing the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 which has led to the fourth stage.
The Act enshrines the consumer rights and provides for setting up of quasi-
judicial authorities for redressal of consumer Diputes. This act takes justice in
the socio-economic sphere a step closer to the common man.
Objective
In India, the basic reasons for the consumers movement have been:
 Shortage of consumer products; inflation of early 1970's.
 Adulteration and the Black Market.
 Lack of product choices due to lack of development in technology.
 Thrust of consumer movement in India has been on availability, purity and prices.
 l To promote a network of organisations working for consumer awareness and for the
 promotion of consumers interest.
 l To strengthen the growth of the organised consumer movement in India.
 l To resolve consumer issues and educate on the rights and responsibilities of
consumers.
 l To promote through the purchasing power of consumers a “need–oriented
development”
 that will ensure socio- economic justice and environmental quality of life for all.
 l To identify issues and to pool resources for campaign, lobbying and policy
advocacy.
 l To provide relevant and updated information.
 l To maintain liaison with the governments at the Centre and the State.
Importance
(1) Protection from Unsafe Products: An important object of consumer movement is,
the united fight of consumers against harmful and unsafe products produced by
manufacturers and sold by traders. The examples of such products are medicines
causing side effects, sold without any written warning, sale of stale products, etc.

(2) Protection against Unfair Trade Practices: Businessmen do various unfair trade

practices like overcharging the customers, using inaccurate weight and measures,
selling inferior quality goods, resorting to black marketing, etc. Consumer movement
protects the consumers from such malpractices.

(3) Protection Against Pollution: Due to consumer movement, business

organizations are under pressure to take the necessary measures to control air, water
and noise pollution.

(4) Bringing Consumers Together: It was very easy for business organizations to
exploit unorganized customers. However, due to consumer movement, customers are
collectively fighting for their rights. Thus, consumer movement has succeeded in
uniting and getting a fair deal for consumers from the business world.

(5) Control on Monopolistic & Restrictive Trade Practices: Many Laws and Acts
have been introduced to protect the interest of consumers against monopolistic and
restrictive trade practices of businessmen.

(6) Creating Consumer Awareness: Consumer movement creates awareness among

consumers and educate them through lectures, seminar, workshops, media, public
meetings, etc. regarding consumer rights.

(7) Timely Supply of Essential Commodities: Consumer movement has made it

possible for consumers to form Consumer Co-operative Societies for production and
distribution of essential commodities on co-operative basis so as to ensure their
regular supply at reasonable prices.

(8) Right to get After Sale Service: After sale service is provided by manufacturers
and sellers to the customer even after effecting sales. Seller must provide after sale
services in case of consumer durable products. The seller is supposed to undertake
free repairs and maintenance of products sold during the warranty period. The
awareness about this right of consumers has been brought through consumer
movement.
(9) Pressure on Government: Since consumers are now united, they are able to exert
pressure on the government to enact various laws and introduce measures for
consumer protection.
(10) Link between Consumers and Business Community: Various consumers, by
passing on consumer grievances, their suggestions, etc to business organizations are
getting justice for consumers.
(11) Legal Help: Various consumer protection associations helps the consumer to get
their complaints against malpractices of traders, redressed through Consumer
Disputes Redressal Agencies or Civil Courts.