Critically examine the progress of consumer movement in India
The consumer
movement in India has evolved vastly since it began. There has been a
significant change in consumer awareness in the country. Till the enactment of
COPRA in 1986, the consumer movement did not bear much force, but ever since
its inception, the movement has been empowered substantially. The setting up of
consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move. However, in
contemporary India, the consumer redressal process is quite complicated,
expensive and time-consuming. Filing cases, attending court proceedings, hiring
lawyers, and other procedures make it cumbersome.
The
number of consumer groups and their activities has increased. Currently, about
700 consumer groups work in the country but only 20-25 groups have been
recognized by the government. The existing laws are not effective as far as
compensation for defective products goes.
Even
after more than 25 years of enactment of Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), a
large section of consumers are unaware of their rights. Often rules and
regulations applicable to marketplace are not followed.
The consumer movement in India has evolved vastly since it began. There has been a significant change in consumer awareness in the country. Till the enactment of COPRA in 1986, the consumer movement did not bear much force, but ever since its inception, the movement has been empowered substantially. The setting up of consumer courts and consumer groups has been a progressive move. However, in contemporary India, the consumer redressal process is quite complicated, expensive and time-consuming. Filing cases, attending court proceedings, hiring lawyers, and other procedures make it cumbersome.
The number of consumer groups and their activities has increased. Currently, about 700 consumer groups work in the country but only 20-25 groups have been recognized by the government. The existing laws are not effective as far as compensation for defective products goes.
Even after more than 25 years of enactment of Consumer Protection Act (COPRA), a large section of consumers are unaware of their rights. Often rules and regulations applicable to marketplace are not followed.
