Consumer Protection: Policy and Law in India

Consumer Protection Policy creates an environment where consumers receive satisfaction from the goods or services availed by them. One of the disquieting features of consumerism is that an average consumer continues to suffer due to poverty, illiteracy, ignorance or general apathy. Adulterated food, spurious medicines and substandard domestic appliances etc., are pushed over the counter with ease. Glossy and unethical advertisements are published in the print and electronic media with intent to allure and dupe gullible consumers. So, it becomes imperative for the State to initiate steps for safeguarding the interest of consumers by enacting suitable legislations. The present study is a modest attempt at ascertaining the need for consumer protection, identification of factors responsible for exploitation of consumers, and the role law can play in protecting consumer rights visa-a-vis the vendors and in striking a balance between the interests of the two