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MIddle Class & Consumerism

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    McKinsey global has released its India consumer research and here

    are a few key insights from the report

    Indian income will triple over the next two decades.

    Over the next two decades, the countrys middle class will grow from

    about 5 percent of the population to more than 40 percent and create the

    worlds fifth-largest consumer market.

    In 2005 private spending reached about 17 trillion Indian rupees($372billion), accounting for more than 60 percent of Indias GDP, so in this

    respect the country is closer to developed economies such as Japan and

    the United States than are China and other fast-growing emerging

    markets in Asia.

    India remains the least urbanized of the emerging Asian economies.

    Today only 29 percent of Indians live in cities.

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    INDIA SHINING

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    Extreme rural poverty has declined from 94 percent in 1985 to 61

    percent in 2005

    In 1985 93 percent of the population lived on a household income of

    less than 90,000 rupees a year, by 2005 that proportion had been cut

    nearly in half, to 54 percent.

    The growth that has pulled millions of people out of poverty is alsobuilding a huge middle class that will be concentrated in Indias urban

    areas.

    If India can achieve 7.3 percent annual growth over the next 20 years,

    465 million more people will be spared a life of extreme deprivation

    About 400 million Indian city dwellersa group nearly 100 million

    people larger than the current population of the United Stateswill

    belong to households with a comfortable standard of living.

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    Discretionary spending in India will rise from 52 percent of

    total private spending today to 70 percent in 2025.

    By 2025 Indias wealthiest citizens will total 24 million, more

    than the current population of Australia. By that year too, Indias

    affluent class will be larger than Chinas comparable segment,

    projected at about 19 million people

    Spending on purchases that improve the economic prospects

    and quality of life of a person or familyhealth, education,

    transport, and communicationswill soar and eventuallycommand a greater share of consumption than they do elsewhere.

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    Despite Indias fondness for cricket and Bollywood

    movies, recreational products and services will take a

    smaller slice of household spending there than in othercountries.

    Transportation, already the largest category of expense

    after food, will take a bigger portion of household budgetsin coming years, exceeding its share in all of our

    benchmark countries. The highest growth will come from

    car purchases. Categories such as clothing and household

    goods are expected to post slower annual growth relative to

    overall consumption

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    By 2025 Indias wealthiest citizens will total 24 million,

    more than the current population of Australia.

    India will witness the rapid growth of its middle class

    households with disposable incomes from 200,000 to

    1,000,000 rupees a year. That class now comprises about 50

    million people, roughly 5 percent of the population.

    Today 57 percent of private spending is spread across

    rural areas, but by 2025 cities will command 62 percent of

    the countrys spending power.

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    In absolute terms the countrys urban population will expand

    significantly, from 318 million today to 523 million in 2025.

    The shift in spending power from the countryside to the

    cities will place the bulk of Indias private consumption within

    easier reach of major companies

    Needless to say, India is shining, stock market is on a joy

    ride and now we need more Indian startups to put the icing on

    the cake.

    So all DEAR startups, look at the opportunities that lies ahead

    and make your mark.

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    Consumerism is a social movement to protect consumer rights.

    It is all about protection of the interests of the consumers.

    According to Philip Kotler a social movement seeking to

    augment the rights and powers of the buyers in relation to

    sellers.

    Consumerism, interpreted as a collective effort of the consumers

    to protect their interests, is a manifestation of the failure of thebusiness, including that of public sector, and the government to

    guarantee and ensure the legitimate rights of the consumers.

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    Consumerism is an organized movement of citizens and government

    to strengthen the rights and power of buyers in relation to sellers.

    The consumer is exposed to many hazardous-physical, environmental

    and exploitation due to unfair trade practices.

    He needs protection against:

    products which are unsafe for consumption such as drugs andcontaminated food products and products which may cause badly

    injury such as defective electrical appliances.

    mal-practices and dishonesty by sellers. He should have adequate

    rights and right of recourse to redressal measures against defaultingbusinessmen.

    environmental pollution of air, water and noise and effective

    measures should be devised to keep the surroundings neat and clean.

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    Need And Reasons

    1. In vast country like India, it is very difficult to organize the

    consumers. The people besides being the backward havelinguistic, cultural and religious difference which makes the

    problems quiet intricate or complex.

    2. Majority of our population is illiterate, uneducated, ignorantand ill-informed.

    3. Poverty, lack of social awareness, accepting life as it is and

    passive outlook are some of the factors which make consumermovement difficult to increase.

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    4. There may not be a positive common objective for the

    consumers except their desire for safe quality products, forreasonable price and a feeling of strong negative reactions against

    the products. In wake of large scale production and the variety and

    choice conferred on the consumers, a consumer needs guidance

    which can only be appropriately provided by a consumer

    organization.

    5. The advertisement bombarded on the consumers make them

    quite confused and hence again a need for consumer guidance

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    Consumers Rights

    Consumer rights are now an integral part of our lives like aconsumerist way of life. They have been well documented and

    much talked about. We have all made use of them at some point in

    our daily lives. Market resources and influences are growing by

    the day and so is the awareness of one's consumer rights. These

    rights are well-defined and there are agencies like the government,consumer courts and voluntary organizations that work towards

    safeguarding them. While we all like to know about our rights and

    make full use of them, consumer responsibility is an area which is

    still not demarcated.

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    In the 20th century, the presence and influence of the market grew

    dramatically in consumer life. We began to purchase things from the

    market for a price. Soon, mass production and industrial production

    came into being, giving the consumer world an entirely new

    dimension. Have you ever wondered how much urban consumers

    depend on the market for fulfillment of even their basic needs? This

    over-dependence on the market and the inherent profit motive in

    mass production and sales has given manufacturers and dealers agood reason to exploit consumers. As a consumer, every one should

    know how market products are constantly under-weight, of inferior

    quality and do not prescribe to quality standards specified by

    quality-control agencies. Consumers not only do not get value for

    their money but also often have to suffer losses and inconvenience

    due to market manipulations.

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    As Under section-6 of Consumer Protection Act, consumer has the following

    rights:

    1. Right to safety: It is Right to safety against such goods and

    services as are hazards to health, life and property of the consumer.

    For example, bogus and sub-standard drugs ; appliances made oflow quality of raw material, such as, electric press, pressure cooker,

    etc. and low quality food products like bread, milk, jam, butter etc.

    Consumers have the right to safety against loss caused by such

    products.

    2. Right to be Informed/ Right to Representation: consumer has also

    the right that he should be provided all those information on the

    basis of which he decides to buy goods or services. This

    information relates to quality, purity, potency, standard, date of

    manufacture, method of use, etc. of the commodity. Thus, producer

    is required to provide all these information in a proper manner, so

    that consumer is not cheated.

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    3. Right to choose: Consumer has the full right to buy good or

    services of his choice from among the different goods or services

    available in the market. In other words, no seller can influence his

    choice in an unfair manner. If any seller does so, it will be deemed as

    interference in his right to choice.

    4. Right to be Heard: Consumer has the right that his complaint be

    heard. Under this Right the consumer can file complaint against all

    those things which prejudicial to his interest. First there rightsmentioned above (Right to Safety; Right to be Informed; Right to

    choose) have relevance only if the consumer has right to file his

    complaint against them. These days, several large and small

    organisations have set up Consumer service cells with a view toproviding the right to be heard to the consumer. The function of the

    cell is to hear the complaints of the consumers and to take adequate

    measures to redress them. Many newspapers like The Economic

    Times have weekly special columns to entertain the complaints of

    the consumers.

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    5. Right to Seek redress: This provides compensation to consumer

    against unfair trade practice of the seller. For instance, if the

    quantity and the quality of the product do not confirm to thepromise of the seller, the buyer has the right to claim compensation,

    such as free repair of the product, taking back of the products,

    changing of the product by the seller

    6. Right to consumer education: Consumer education refers to

    educate the consumer constantly with regards to their rights. In

    other words, consumers must be aware of the rights they enjoy

    against the loss they suffer on account of goods and services

    purchased by them. Government has taken several measures toeducate the consumers. For instance, Ministry of civil supplies

    publishes a quarterly magazine under the title Upbhokta Jagran.

    Doodarshan telecasts programme tittles Sanrakshan Upbhokta

    Ka.

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    In addition to this six rights of consumer given by govt. of

    India, The UnitedN

    ations organisation also given tworights:

    1. Right to Basic Needs: The Basic need means those goods

    and services which are necessary for the dignified living of

    people. It includes adequate food, clothing, shelter, energy,

    sanitation, health, care, education and transportation. Allconsumers have the right fulfil these basic needs.

    2. Right to Healthy Environment: This right provides

    consumers the protection against environment pollution sothat the quality of life enhanced. Not only this, it also gives

    stress that the need to protect the environment is for future

    generations as well.

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    Consumers Responsibilities

    1. Consumer should exercise his right: Consumers have manyrights with regard to the goods and services. They must be aware

    of their rights while buying. These rights are: Right to safety, Right

    to be informed, Right to representation, Right to seek redressal,

    Right to consumer education, etc.

    2. Cautious consumer/ Do not buy blindly: The consumers should

    make full use of their reason while buying things. They should not

    take the sellers word as final truth. In other words, while buying

    consumer must get information regarding the quality, quantity,

    price, utility etc. of goods and services.

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    3. Filing complaint for the redressal of genuine grievances: It is

    the responsibility of a consumer to approach the officer concerned

    there is some complaint about the goods purchased. A late complaintmay find that the period of guarantee/warrantee has lapsed.

    Sometimes, consumers ignore the deception of businessmen. This

    tendency encourages corrupt business practices.

    4. Consumer must be quality conscious: The consumers should

    never compromise on the quality of goods. Therefore, they should

    not buy inferior stuff out of greed for less prices. If the consumers

    behave like this, there cannot be any protection for them from any

    quarter. It is also the responsibility of the consumers only to buy

    goods with the ISI, Agmark, Woolmark, FPO etc. printed on them.

    All these symbols indicative of the good quality of the goods.

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    5.Beware of false advertisement: The sellers exaggerate the quality of

    their goods in the advertisement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of

    the consumers to recognize the truth of advertisement.

    6. Do not forget to get Receipt and Guarantee/warrantee card: One

    should always get a receipt or bill for the things purchased. In case a

    guarantee/warrantee card is also offered by seller, it should also be

    taken. In case the goods purchased are of inferior quality or somedefects appears and bothers the customers, these documents will be

    of great help in settling all kinds of dispute with the seller.

    7. Do not buy in hurry: The first important responsibility ofconsumers is that they should not buy in hurry. It means that the

    consumers should make an estimate of the things they want to buy

    their along with their quantity required by them. They should also

    take in consideration the place from where to buy the things.

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    Role Of Judiciary

    In our country judiciary plays a very vital role. Onrecommendation of the amendment of consumer protection

    Act in 2000 the consumer protection councils or forums are

    created at district, state and national level. Under the Act

    there is a provision of Three-Tier Judiciary to redress thegrievances of consumers in a simple, speedy and

    inexpensive way; namely

    1. District Forum at District level

    2. State Commission at State level3. National Commission at National level

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    1. District Forum: According to consumer protection Act, state

    governments can set up one or more district forums in each District.

    There are three members including the presiding officer. Out of thisone member must be a lady. They must have a qualification of

    District Judge and must be appointed by state government. Its main

    feature is that it can hear cases up to Rs.20 Lacs. Any appeal may go

    to state commission within 30 days.

    2. State Commission: One state commission is appointed by thestate government in each state. It also has three members out of

    which one is a lady member but they must have qualification of High

    Court Judge and should be appointed by state government. It can

    hear cases involving sum exceeds Rs.20 Lacs and upto Rs.1 Crore.

    Any appeal may go to national commission within 30 days.

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    3. National Commission: It is appointed by central

    government. It consists of five members out of which one

    must be a lady member. They must have qualification

    equivalent to Supreme Court Judge. It has a Jurisdictionto hear complaints amounting more than Rs.1 Crore. Any

    appeal may go to Supreme Court within 30 days.

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    Role ofNon- Governmental organizations

    In addition to government many about 500 non-governmental

    organizations (N.G.Os) are making efforts in order to safeguard theinterest of consumer. These organizations perform the following

    functions:

    1. Accelerating consumer awareness/Educating consumers: The

    first priority of consumer organization is to accelerate consumersawareness towards their rights. To accomplish this task which they

    have to perform are:

    (a) To publish Brochures, Journals.(b) To arrange seminars, conferences and workshops.

    (c) To educate consumers to help themselves.

    (d) To provide special education to women about consumerism.e To encoura e to follow desirable consum tion standards.

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    3. Filing Suit on Behalf of consumer: Whenever a consumer fails

    to raise his voice of protect regarding his complaints, these

    organizations come to his rescue and file a case in the court. By

    rendering services to consumers, the consumers get a feeling thatthey are not alone in their fight. They also run voluntary complaints

    for the guidance of consumers.

    4. Helping educational institutions: These organizations tell the

    educational institutions the way to prepare courses of study keepingin view the interest of consumers.

    5. Promoting network of consumer association: Consumer

    organizations are trying to grow their numbers. They want to cover

    all regions so that consumers of all regions get benefited by their

    services.6. Extending support to government: Consumer organizations by

    informing government agencies about adulteration, artificiality,

    inferior quality products etc. This helps government to conduct

    proceedings in time.

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    Role OfConsumer Coordinating Council

    The name of the highest body of consumer Association is consumer

    coordinating council. This body has started many programmes forconsumer protection. The main objectives of this council are:

    (a) To establish coordination among consumers for their welfare.

    (b) To educate and train activists working for consumer protection.

    Role OfPress/Media

    Whenever there is any revolution or a campaign is run for PublicAwareness, News papers and journals play a very significant role.

    Indian Express is the first for this noble cause . Press takes

    following steps to make consumer protection campaign a success.

    (a) To publish articles(b) To make available columns

    (c) To show live telecasts.

    (d) To publish consumer complaints

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    Role Of Education Institutions

    The importance of consumer protection is being realised at variouslevels of education Viz. School, College, University. At school

    level institutions like C.B.S.E. had prepared syllabus in which

    central guiding points of consumer protection have been

    highlighted. Similarly at University level INDIRA GANDHI

    NATIONAL OPE N UNIVERSITY (IGNOU) has prepared aspecial course for under graduate and post- graduate students.

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    Role OfConsumer Protection Council

    The consumer protection council provides the

    establishment of a Central Consumer Protection Council

    by the central government and state ConsumerProtection Council by state governments. The main

    objectives of the councils are:

    1. To protect the rights of consumer

    2. To promote the rights of consumer

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    ConclusionConsumer protection laws are federal and state statutes governing sales

    and credit practices involving consumer goods. Such statutes prohibit and

    regulate deceptive or unconscionable advertising and sales practices,

    product quality, credit financing and reporting, debt collection, leases, and

    other aspects of consumer transactions.

    The goal of consumer protection laws is to place consumers, who areaverage citizens engaging in business deals such as buying goods or

    borrowing money, on an even par with companies or citizens who

    regularly engage in business. Historically, consumer transactions

    purchases of goods or services for personal, family, or household use

    were presumed fair because it was assumed that buyers and sellersbargained from equal positions. Starting in the 1960s, legislatures began to

    respond to complaints by consumer advocates that consumers were

    inherently disadvantaged, particularly when bargaining with large

    corporations and industries. Several types of agencies and statutes, both

    state and federal, now work to protect consumers.

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    We believe the more guidelines are required because there are always

    two sides of a coin, each instance of Consumer affairs could be easily

    termed as another Consumer mistreatment. By the time market

    forces have time to operate, far too many consumers are dead,

    maimed, or impoverished. Within a nation-state, national laws may

    prevent some of this harm, but once national boundaries are crossed,

    their effectiveness is limited, and consumers can hope for very limitedprotection, If online trade proliferates and consumer fraud becomes a

    major problem, nation-states and commercial interests that provide

    online access are fairly restricted in the action they may take to curb

    unacceptable and deleterious practices. Certainly if consumers

    perceive online commerce as a hazardous place to make purchases,they will not choose this alternative, and a major opportunity for

    electronic commerce may be forfeited. Consequently, there is strong

    motivation for reputable business to observe high commercial

    standards of behaviour.


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