|
In India, the first consumer organization was formed by Shri.R.R.Dalavi in 1949 in Madras. At present there are more than 60 bodies spread all over India; voluntary organization like consumer research station at Ahmadabad.
A formal organization for consumer movement was the Consumer Protection Council formed in Madras under the patronage of C.Rajgopalachari. Voluntary organizations in the interest of consumer education New Delhi, central citizen’s forum Kanpur, consumer forum of Udupi are in forefront of consumer movements. Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) was formed in Bombay in 1956 by some housewives and social works. From late 60s voluntary groups started working for the rights of the consumers. Most of them were dealing with local issues.
Consumer movement gathered momentum with the setting up of National Consumer Protection Council. The Council’s major functions include
- Collection of information regarding consumer problems.
- Assist state government in the consumer movement.
- Examine consumer grievances.
- Institute remedial measures and
- Promote equitable distribution.
Legal support for consumer movement
Several legislations have been enacted for safeguarding consumer interests like The Essential Commodities Act 1955. The Act was amended in 1974. The Act governs the production, procurement, supply and distribution of all notified essential commodities. The amendment ensures quicker and more effective action against the antisocial activities of profiteers, hoarders and black marketers. Amendments were made to Standards of Weights and Measures Act 1976 to safeguard consumer interests against unfair trade practices like short weighing, misleading information on packed goods etc.
Under the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1969, consumer associations could complain to the commission set up under the Act with regard to artificial shortages manipulated high prices of essential commodities, deterioration in quality etc.
The Government made it obligatory for traders to display prices and stocks of essential commodities and other items of mass consumption in 1975. The Government issued the packed commodities (Regulation) order in 1975 making it mandatory to appraise the consumers of the content, weight, price, date of manufacturers etc in case of packed goods. The India Consumer Union was registered in New Delhi 1977 for fighting against the spiraling prices.
In 1979 the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC) was formed in Ahmadabad.
Government of India has promulgated a number of Acts. Among these the notable one was the Consumer Protection Act 1986. The Act provides for establishment of consumer protection council at state and central levels for promoting and protecting the rights of consumers.
The Information and Technology Act 2000 and the rules made there under help to regulate the electronic communications, trade and commerce and prevent computer crime.
Voluntary and Other Organizations For Consumer Movement:
Various Acts and legislations passed by the Government are a boon to the consumers’ organizations; have been playing very useful roles for the protection of consumer interests.
Industrial organizations like Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) etc are making efforts to create awareness among corporate sector on product quality and customer care. Some industrial units have started the practice of selling directly to consumers.
Some leading consumer activities have setup Consumer Coordination Council (CCC) body on issues relating to consumer interests and policies affecting them. This organization works as
- A common platform to high light consumer problems.
- To organize seminars, conferences, lectures and meetings for discussion on various consumer issues.
- To sponsor research and survey as well as study circles on consumer education.
- To publish information and books for increasing consumer awareness. The CCC launched the Citizen’s Charter Campaign in 1996. Confederation of Indian Consumer Organization was formed in 1991. Most of the consumer organizations all over the country joined together to form a National Consumer Organization.
With more and more consumer organizations joining together to form larger confederations it is hoped that the consumer movement in India will gather movement to tackle consumer problems. Large organizations like Bajaj Electrical, SBI, Indane Gas etc have started conference of their consumers in order to deal with their problems. In India consumer movement is still in its infancy with its activities confined mainly to cities.
The movement is gaining attention
- 15th March is observed as World Consumer Rights Day at international level.
- 20th December is observed as National Consumer Day in India.
More attention is given now a day to find ways and means to solve consumer problems. Consumer movement is not confined to India alone. It is a global phenomenon. A new organization called Consumers International (CI) is formed. It was formerly known as International Organization of Consumer Unions (IOCU). Indian Consumer Protection Programme (ICPP) was set up in Pune in 1999. It acts as a link between CI and concerned government agencies, NGOs, mass media etc.
|
Participants