Introduction

 Rise Of Consumer Awarness

 In the globalization, liberalization and privatization era,
most
.
the economic decisions are taken by the market. Though the
government has withdrawn itself from many economic
activities,  it interferes very often when the market mechanism
fails due to structural rigidities in the economy and other
factors, to provide goods and services to the people.
Consumption is one of the important economic activities, which
requires regular government intervention,  as the market is
unable to promote security and welfare aspects of the
consumers. On the other hand, consumers have to be aware
not only of the commercial aspects of sale and purchase of
goods but also of the health and security aspect also. Besides
this, they should be aware of their rights and duties being as
rational human beings.Though the first consumer movement
began in  England after the  Second World War, a modern
declaration about the consumer’s rights was first made in the
USA in the year 1962, where four basic consumer rights i.e. 
Choice, information, safety and right to be heard were
recognized.

Ralph Nadar, a consumer activist is considered as the father of

“Consumer Movement”. 15th March is now celebrated as
the World Consumer Rights Day. The U.N.O.  Also adopted
in the year 1985, certain guidelines to achieve the objectives of
maintaining protection for consumers and to establish a high-
level of ethical conduct for those engaged in the production and
distribution of goods and services. In India, 24th December is
celebrated as “Consumer’s Day” every year.
Objectives Of The Study
The Study based on the following objectives:

1. To study the level of consumer awareness of the consumers in the study

area
2. To make the students habituated about the survey work.
To make the students acquainted how different statistical tools can be applied
in different socio-economic problems.
1.3 Meaning Of Consumer Awareness
Consumer awareness means awareness of consumers in different aspects of
consumption activities. Consumer awareness is a broader and wider concept. It
covers the followings:
a) Consumer awareness about Maximum Retail Price (MRP).

b) Consumer awareness about Fair Price Shop.

c) Consumer awareness about price, quality and expiry date of the product.

d) Consumer awareness about their rights and duties.

e) Consumer awareness about certified products like ISI, Agmark, ISO-2000

 1.4. Forms Of Consumer Exploitation

Consumer exploitation is a type of exploitation in which the consumers are
exploited or cheated by the business community in terms of poor quality of
product, underweight, under-measurement, duplicate articles etc

 Some of the common ways by which the consumers are exploited by the business
community are as follows:

1. Underweight and under-measurement

2. Sub-standard quality
3. High prices
4. Duplicate articles
 5. Adulteration and impurity
6. Lack of safety devices
7. Artificial scarcity
8. False and incomplete information
9. Unsatisfactory after sale services
10.Rough behavior
1.5. Factors Causing Exploitation Of The Consumers
The following are the factors that cause the exploitation of consumers:

1. Limited information
2. Limited supply
3. Limited competition
4. Low literacy