Introduction
(i) Issue of consumer rights.
(ii) Unequal situations in a market.
(iii) Poor enforcement of rules and regulations.
(iv) Consumer protection councils.
(v) Consumer organizations.
(vi) Consumer court.

The consumer in the market place

People participate in the market both as producers and consumers. As a producer they sell their goods and provide services to the needy people.

Producers provide service in the sector like, agriculture sector or primary sector, secondary sector or manufacturing sector and service sector or tertiary sector.

Some big companies are manipulated the market in various ways like, by passing false information about the product through media and other sources to attract consumers. So, there is a need for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers.

Consumer movement

There are no for rules and regulations to ensure protection for consumers. The consumers are exploited by the producers.

For example, if a consumer is not satisfied with the product of any brand or shop. Then he/she avoid and stop to purchase from that particular brand or shop.

In this case, all the responsibilities are shifted to the consumer for purchasing of the products.

When the consumers are dissatisfied with unfair rule and regulation for purchasing of goods and services, then the consumer movement is arisen.

Here, unfair rule and regulation is indulged by the sellers. It is a type of social force.

During 1960, Rampant food shortages, hoarding, black marketing, adulteration of food and edible oil gave birth to the consumer movement in an organized form in India.

This organization receives financial support from the government for creating awareness among the people.

Till the 1970s, consumer organizations formed consumer groups with increasing number of consumer organization.

This group found to look into the malpractices in ration shops and overcrowding in the road passenger transport.

In 1986, a major step was taken by the government of India in the form of the Consumer Protection Act 1986.

Consumer rights

(i) Safety is everyone right

There are many goods and services which are hazardous for the health and property. So, that goods and services require special attention to safety. Consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services which are hazardous for the health and services. Producers also need to follow the required rules and regulations for safety of consumers.

(ii) Information about goods and services

Manufacturer of goods and services should have maintained information about the ingredients used, price, batch number, date of manufacture, expiry date, the address of the manufacturer, directions for proper use’ and information relating to side effects and risks associated with usage of that particular goods and services. Consumers have right to know about the details of that particular goods and services that they purchased.