Explain 3 factors which led to rise of consumer movement in India.

The consumer movement in India is specified as the systematic work of consumers to raise their voices and demand better quality products, services and protection from various businesses and service providers. Over the past several decades, India has witnessed significant growth in consumer activism, driven by factors like enhancing knowledge among consumers, the emergence of NGOs and consumer forums and the enactment of laws and regulations to safeguard consumer rights. An individual need to know about the factors that led to the rise of the consumer movement in India, its impact on Indian society and the challenges that still need to be addressed.

Important Terms and Definitions

Before going further, it’s essential to understand some of the important terms and definitions related to the consumer movement in India:

1. Consumer: A consumer is a person who buys goods or services for private or corporate use.
2. Consumer Movement:The consumer movement is a systematic and combined movement of consumers aimed at educating and uniting them to fight for the protection of their rights.
3. Consumerism: Consumerism refers to the social and lucrative order that encourages the obtainment of goods and services in ever-escalating volumes.

Factors that Led to the Rise of the Consumer Movement in India :

The rise of the consumer movement in India can be attributed to several factors, including:

1. Rising knowledge Among Consumers: One of the primary factors that led to the rise of the consumer movement in India is the boosting cognizance among consumers about their rights and the need to safeguard themselves from exploitation by businesses and service providers. Consumers are getting more informed and conscious of their consumption choices and they want to assure that they get value for the amount they are paying for it.

2. Emergence of NGOs and Consumer Forums: The emergence of non-governmental associations and consumer forums across India has played a critical part in promoting consumer cognizance and safeguarding consumer rights. These associations work at the grassroots position to educate consumers about their rights, give legal aid to those who file complaints, and raise knowledge about product safety and environmental sustainability.

3. Laws and Regulations :The enactment of laws and regulations to safeguard consumer rights has been a significant contributing factor to the growth of the consumer movement in India. The Consumer Protection Act( CPA) of 1986, empowers consumers to file complaints against businesses and service providers for faulty products, illegal trade practices, and deficient services.

Impact of the Consumer Movement on Indian Society

1. Increased Consumer knowledge as well as Awareness: The consumer movement played a vital purpose in boosting consumer cognizance and education. Consumer cognizance groups and associations have worked vigorously to provide education to consumers about their rights and promote responsible consumption. It also raises cognizance about product safety, environmental sustainability, and the adoption of fair trade practices by people.

2. Consumer Protection: The consumer movement has also helped in enriching consumer protection and giving legal Aid to consumers in case of grievances and problems. The Consumer Protection Act of 1986, and the establishment of consumer forums and courts have made it easier for consumers to go and seek redressal for issues like faulty products, illegal trade practices, and ineffective services.

3. Greater Responsibility of Businesses: The consumer movement helped to make businesses and service providers more responsible for their activities and conducts. The Consumer Protection Act holds manufacturers and dealers liable for any damage done to consumers by faulty products and services. This has forced businesses to maintain quality and safety. It helps to make them more liable for consumer complaints and feedback.

4. Ethical Business Practices: The movement has encouraged businesses to take responsibility for doing fair practices, promoting fair trade, and protecting the environment.

5. Empowering Consumers: The consumer movement has given more powers to the consumers and due to this a fair and balanced relationship has been built between consumers and businesses which helps to promote a responsible and ethical consumption culture.

Challenges Faced by the Consumer Movement in India

Lack of knowledge among consumers, especially in rural areas. Some people don’t know consumer rights and that leads to their exploitation.

Moreover, resistance by the businesses and services providers are are that they don’t want to change their unfair means of practices.

Conclusion

The rise of the consumer movement in India is a significant development that has brought about positive changes in how businesses and service providers got the opportunity to interact with consumers. From promoting consumer consciousness and education to enhancing consumer protection and promoting ethical business practices, the consumer movement has laid the foundation for a more sustainable society. Though, there’s still important work to be done, and the movement must continue to evolve and accommodate the changing requisites of consumers and society.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Challenges Faced by the Consumer Movement in India?

Ans: Lack of knowledge among consumers, especially in rural areas. Some people don’t have knowledge of consumer rights and that leads to their exploitation.

Moreover, resistance by the businesses and services providers are are that they don’t want to change their unfair means of practices.

2. What is the Impact of the Consumer Movement on Indian Society?

Ans: These are discussed as follows:

• Increased Consumer knowledge as well as Awareness: The consumer movement played a vital purpose in boosting consumer cognizance and education. Consumer cognizance groups and associations have worked vigorously to provide education to consumers about their rights and promote responsible consumption. It also raises cognizance about product safety, environmental sustainability, and the adoption of fair trade practices by people.
• Consumer Protection: The consumer movement has also helped in enriching consumer protection and giving legal Aid to consumers in case of grievances and problems. The Consumer Protection Act of 1986, and the establishment of consumer forums and courts have made it easier for consumers to go and seek redressal for issues like faulty products, illegal trade practices, and ineffective services.
• Greater Responsibility of Businesses: The consumer movement helped to make businesses and service providers more responsible for their activities and conducts. The Consumer Protection Act holds manufacturers and dealers liable for any damage done to consumers by faulty products and services. This has forced businesses to maintain quality and safety. It helps to make them more liable for consumer complaints and feedback.
• Ethical Business Practices: The movement has encouraged businesses to take responsibility for doing fair practices, promoting fair trade, and protecting the environment.
• Empowering Consumers: The consumer movement has given more powers to the consumers and due to this a fair and balanced relationship has been built between consumers and businesses which helps to promote a responsible and ethical consumption culture.

3. Who is the consumer?

Ans: A consumer is a person who buys goods or services for private or corporate use.

4. Define Consumerism.

Ans: Consumerism refers to the social and lucrative order that encourages the obtainment of goods and services in ever-escalating volumes.