LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT

ON
(Consumer Movements in India)
AT

ITM University Gwalior

For the partial fulfillment of the award of (Bachelors of business
administration)
(2020-2023)

Submitted to = Prof.Shilpa Bhakar

Submitted By = Nikhil Rathore

Roll No. = BBAN1MG20032

Subject = Consumer Behavior (506)
 CONTENT:

 INTRODUCTION

 CONSUMER PROTECTION IN ANCIENT TIMES

 DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES

 CONSUMERS MOVEMENT IN THE MODERN PERIOD

 REASON FOR CONSUMER MOVEMENT IN INDIA

 CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
Consumer movements in India are a form of protest against unfair trade practices, such
as price gouging, false advertising, and the use of dangerous or substandard products.
These movements are primarily organized by consumer groups, which are non-
governmental organizations that advocate on behalf of the interests of consumers.
Consumer movements in India have been active since the early 1970s and have grown
in strength and numbers over the years.
Consumer Movements in India have evolved as an active means of protecting the rights
of the consumers in India. The consumer movements in India have grown in strength
and have become an important part of the economic and political development of the
country. Consumer movements in India have been instrumental in bringing about
changes in the laws and policies related to consumer rights, safety and protection.

HISTORY
The first consumer movement in India began in the early 1970s in response to the rising
prices of essential commodities. This led to the formation of several consumer groups
such as the Consumer Guidance Society of India, Consumer Education and Research
Centre, and the Consumer Unity and Trust Society. These groups raised awareness
about consumer rights and lobbied the government to pass laws that protected
consumers from unfair practices. The consumer movement in India gained further
momentum in the 1980s and 1990s with the emergence of new consumer organizations
such as the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, the National
Consumer Protection Council, and the Consumer Education and Research Centre.
These organizations worked to ensure that consumer rights were respected and that
businesses were held accountable for their actions.
CONSUMER PROTECTION IN ANCIENT TIMES

Consumer protection in ancient times was not as organized as it is today. People were mostly
protected by the laws of the land such as Hammurabi’s Code and other legal documents. These
laws were very strict and were meant to protect the customer from unfair or fraudulent practices.
Merchants and traders were often held to strict standards of conduct and fairness, and penalties
were often severe for those who broke the law.

The Code of Hammurabi, for example, contained provisions to protect consumers from fraud
and unfair pricing. It also provided for a system of checks and balances to ensure that
merchants were not taking advantage of their customers. Merchants were required to keep
accurate records of their transactions and to offer accurate weights and measures.The Code
also provided for a system of contracts and agreements between merchants and customers that
ensured the fairness of the transaction.

In addition, merchants were expected to provide accurate information about the quality and
quantity of goods they were selling. This ensured that customers were not being taken
advantage of and that their money was well-spent. As a result, customers were better protected
against unscrupulous or fraudulent practices. In addition to legal documents, ancient societies
also had cultural norms and values that protected consumers. For example, merchants were
expected
DEVELOPMENT OF COOPERATIVES

The cooperative consumer movement in India has a long history. It began in the early part of
the 20th century, with the formation of the All India Consumers’ Protection Council (AICPC)
in 1921. The AICPC was formed to provide a platform for the collective voice of consumers
on issues related to price, quality and availability of goods and services.

The cooperative consumer movement in India gained further momentum in the 1950s, with
the formation of the Consumer Coordination Council (CCC). The CCC worked to strengthen
the voice of the consumer and to ensure that they had access to quality products at fair
prices.

In the 1970s, the cooperative consumer movement in India began to expand with the
emergence of several new organizations. The most notable of these were the Consumer
Guidance Society of India (CGSI), the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC),
and the Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS). These organizations worked to promote
consumer rights and to provide a platform for consumers to voice their grievances.

The cooperative consumer movement in India has had a significant impact on the Indian
economy. It has helped to ensure that consumers have access to quality products at fair
prices. It has also led to the establishment of several consumer protection laws.

Cooperative consumer movements in India are a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging in

the mid-1980s as a result of increasing consumer awareness and activism. Consumer
movements in India have been able to achieve a range of successes, such as influencing
government policies, increasing access to quality goods and services, and protecting
consumers against unethical practices.

The Indian cooperative consumer movement started in 1984, when the Consumer Guidance
Society of India (CGSI) was established in Mumbai. Initially, CGSI was a voluntary
organization focused on providing consumer education and awareness. However, it soon
evolved into a full-fledged cooperative consumer movement, advocating on behalf of
consumers in various forums and working to ensure that their rights were respected.
CONSUMERS MOVEMENT IN THE MODERN PERIOD

The modern consumer movement began in the 1960s and is an organized effort to protect and
inform consumers about their rights in the marketplace. It works to ensure that individuals are
not taken advantage of and that businesses are held accountable for their practices. This
movement has led to the establishment of consumer protection laws, agencies, and
organizations dedicated to advocating for consumer rights. The primary goals of the consumer
movement include ensuring that consumers have access to accurate information, that they are
not misled by unfair or deceptive practices, and that they have access to safe and reliable
products. The modern consumer movement has had a significant impact on the way businesses
operate and has helped to create a safer and fairer marketplace for all.

They have also successfully lobbied for the introduction of new laws and regulations to protect
consumers from unfair practices by businesses. Consumer movements have been a driving
force in the creation of consumer rights laws, better product labeling, and improved product
quality. They have also pushed for more transparency in the marketplace, ensuring that
consumers have access to accurate and up-to-date information about the products they buy.
Consumer movements have helped to empower consumers, giving them the knowledge and
confidence to make informed choices when it comes to their purchases.

The modern period has seen a dramatic growth in the consumer movement, as consumers
have become increasingly aware of their rights and have become more organized. Consumer
organizations such as the Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumer League
have emerged to give a unified voice to the consumer movement and to advocate for the rights
and interests of consumers.

The consumer movement has seen a number of successes, such as the establishment of
consumer protection laws and the passage of legislation to ensure that product safety standards
are met. Consumers have also successfully lobbied for the passage of laws to regulate the
advertising industry and to protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices.

More recently, consumer organizations have worked to ensure that consumers are given
access to accurate information about the products and services they are considering.
Organizations such as the Consumers Union and the Center for Science in the Public Interest
have been actively involved in promoting consumer education and providing consumers with the
tools they need to make informed decisions.

The consumer movement has also evolved to become more internationally focused, as
consumer organizations have become increasingly aware of global issues such as
environmental sustainability and human rights. Consumers have also become more vocal in
their demands for corporate accountability, as they have pushed for companies to be
transparent about their operations and to take responsibility for their environmental and social
impacts.
REASON FOR CONSUMER MOVEMENT IN INDIA

The consumer movement in India can be traced back to the mid-1960s, when a number of
consumer organizations were set up to protect the rights of consumers. The main aim of the
consumer movement was to ensure that consumers were provided with safe and quality
products and services at reasonable prices.

The consumer movement in India was further strengthened in 1986 with the passage of the
Consumer Protection Act. This Act was designed to protect the interests of consumers and
provide them with a legal framework to seek redressal against unfair trade practices and
exploitation.

The consumer movement in India has been instrumental in raising awareness among
consumers about their rights and responsibilities. It has also helped to create a culture of
consumerism, wherein consumers are more aware of their rights and are more likely to demand
better quality and value for their money. This has resulted in an increased focus on consumer
protection, quality standards, and safety regulations.

The consumer movement in India has also been instrumental in pushing for greater
transparency and better disclosure of information by companies. This has resulted in improved
consumer education and awareness, which has made consumers more informed and
empowered. The consumer movement in India has also been successful in pushing for better
consumer protection laws and enforcement of these laws. This has resulted in greater
accountability of companies and has encouraged
CONCLUSION
Consumer movements in India have played a significant role in protecting and promoting
consumer rights and interests. They have achieved a lot of successes in terms of consumer
protection and safety, consumer education and awareness and consumer empowerment. The
consumer movement has led to the enactment of several consumer protection laws in India and
has also been instrumental in protecting the interests of consumers against exploitation by
companies and traders. It has also been successful in creating a consumer-friendly environment
in India. The consumer movement in India is likely to continue to grow in the years to come and
is likely to help make the consumer-business relationship more equitable and profitable for both
parties