An attempt has been made in this chapter to discuss various aspects of consumer organizations. Every citizen as a consumer can combine with other consumers to form associations. Consumers as citizen have this right provided under the constitution and exercise it effectively and consider issues of common interest and work towards solving problems facing them. The discussion in this chapter is focused on the aspects relating to establishment of consumer organizations at local level such as type of consumer protection and for dissemination of awareness, exercise of legal rights, registration of the organization, its structure and functions etc. The discussion also includes suggestions for membership and coordination of its activities with other organization. In many colonies/residential areas, associations of persons or groups of persons are set up to look after the interest of the area or group. They might be working under different names such as resident welfare associations, associations for consumer guidance society, resident’s protection agency, center for investor’s protection, residents union, grahak panchayat, organization for consumer protection and education etc. The activities of these organizations, irrespective of their members, who are ultimately consumers of one product or the other. Thus it is clear that every one of us is consumer and it is therefore important that we unite together our interests. The efforts of consumers can be more effective only when they unite to work together. A consumer organization is one such forum which can meet the needs of consumers of all kinds.
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