Evolution of the Consumer Protection Law in India

The article surveys the measures for consumer protection in India from the days of Kautilya till the present. It traces, in brief, how the need for such measures arose when the barter system was replaced by market transactions. After the Industrial Revolution, especially, with the emergence of multinational corporations, consumers had to build up a strong worldwide movement to protect their interests. The state and the United Nations intervened on their behalf, to realise their basic needs: adequate supply of essentials (both goods and services) like food, water, or health care, at reasonable prices and of acceptable quality. Since mere legislation is not adequate, positive intervening measures by the state as well as active consumer participation are called for. Sections I to VI outline the historical developments, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986-a judicial mechanism to resolve consumers' disputes- with a few characteristic judgments of the consumer courts, and measures for control of price, quantity and quality. Section VII comprise Illustrations.