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.
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