Trace the evolution of the consumer movement in India.
Answer:
- In India, the consumer movement as a ‘social force’ began with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against 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 the 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 overcrowding in the road passenger transport.
- Because of these efforts, the movement succeeded in bringing pressure on business firms, as well as the government to correct business conduct.
- A major step taken in 1986 by the Indian government, was the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, popularly known as COPRA.
- They formed consumer groups to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passages transport.
- More recently, India witnessed an upsurge in the number of consumer groups.