Family Economics and Consumer Education

Family Economics And Consumer Education 3 (2+1)

Lesson 21 : Important Consumer Organization

Functions Of Voluntary Organization At National Level

First known collective body of consumers was set up in 1915 in Bombay. It was known as “Passengers and Traffic Relief Association”. “Women Graduate Union” was another organization started in 1915 in Bombay. It is now a member of central and state Consumer Protection Council. It works for different areas of consumer protection.
One of the earliest consumer cooperative known as “Triplicance Urban Cooperative Stores” was started in madras in the late 40s.
The Indian Association of Consumers (IAC) was set up in Delhi in 1956. It worked for consumer interests with Government support.

1. Voluntary Organization in Interest of Consumer Education (voice), New Delhi:

It is the voice of and for the consumers in every sense. VOICE was founded by teachers and students at the University of Delhi in the beginning of the academic year 1983-84. VOICE has been engaged in the following activities for protection of consumer interests and creation of awareness of their rights. It undertakes the following works:

1. Product testing- The purpose of testing is to inform the consumers about the comparative quality vis-a-vis price to enable them to make correct choice of product at best price.
2. Consumer Advocacy- VOICE is a member of Consumer International, UK and Bureau of Indian Standards. They have been actively pleading the cause of consumers before these bodies to protect consumer rights.
3. Health And Food Safety- VOICE has been conducting workshops, surveys and campaigns on health and food safety in various parts of the country in collaboration with Govt. of India and its international partners.
4. Anti-Tobacco Work- VOICE provides its active participation in tobacco control work as part of Network for Accountability of Tobacco Transnational’s (NATT).
5. Training In Customer Care- VOICE has been conducting training workshops for Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Vidyut Board in respect of customer care to sensitize the staff to consumer demands, and difficulties in redressal of grievances relating to billing, change of meter, adjustment of excess money etc.
6. Investor Grievances- They have been taking up investor grievances with the respective companies, Ministry of Finance, RBl and others. They have been advising investors about the action to be taken by them to seek redressal of their grievances.
7. Publications: Ankit Vani, Sarthak: Vani and Food standards and safety in a globalised world.
2. Concert (centre for consumer education, research, teaching, training and testing), new delhi:

The vehicle safety experience of the US appears all the more relevant for India today. An organization is designed to check the safety of every vehicle model manufactured, in CONCERT (Centre for Consumer Education, Research, Teaching, Training and Testing). CONCERT along with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) studies accidents, pinpoint the causes, and take or recommend corrective steps. Such steps would .have reduced accident claims to insurance companies, eventually leading to reduced motor vehicle premiums and, over the course of about a decade, brought discipline to the transportation sector.

3. Consumer Coordination Council (CCC), New Delhi:

Consumer Coordination Council (CCC) was established in March 1993 as a Society registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
Aims & Objectives

• Influencing policies, legislation and administrative framework towards promoting consumer interests.
• Empowering consumer protection groups to work towards strengthening the civil society in the democratic system of the country.
• Consumer Online Foundation (COF):

Consumer online is an initiative launched by Consumer Online Foundation (COF) to interlink and integrate comprehensive database information related to consumers and consumerism. COF advocates the use of effective communication tools to ensure improved productivity, enhanced information delivery, reduced transaction costs and efficiency in society.
The present COF website has been designed to interlink and integrate content relating to consumer issues in digital economy and provides specific information of the activities, events, press releases and campaigns on the subject. Such information would help the consumers in understanding the evolving role of policy and law in consumer awareness.

4. Consumers International (CI)
Consumers International (CI) is the world federation of consumer groups that, working together with its members serve as the independent and authoritative global voice for consumers. With over 220 member organizations in 115 countries, CI is building a powerful international movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere.
Vision: CI's vision is a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable goods and services.

5. Voluntary Health Association Of India And Medical Council Of India (VHAI):
It is a secular, non-profit making Federation of over 3000 organisations working in the field of health and community development. It also collaborate its activities with consumer organisations in relation to consumer complaints on health-related issues. A consumer can also seek the assistance of VHAI for his genuine grievances on health related issues and drug abuse.