Analyse the growth of consumer movement as a ‘Social force’ in India, which led to the enactment of COPRA, 1986 by the Indian Government.
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.
- Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organised form in the 1960s.
- Till 1970s consumer organisations were largely engaged in writing articles and holding exhibitions. They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and over crowding in the road passenger transport. Because of all these efforts the movement succeeded in bringing pressure on business firms as wt-J as government to correct business conduct which may be unfair and against the interests of consumers at large.
- A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, popularly known as COPRA.