July Issue - Consumer Concerns

The CPA or the Consumer Protection Act came into force in India in 1986. In the past 25 years, the Consumer Redressal Forums have played a significant role in protecting the rights of consumers and giving redressal to complainants. But with rising consumerism, the market is flooded with products of all kinds, making it increasingly difficult to keep control on the quality. The competition among manufactures and vendors to lure customers into buying their products has also increased manifold and some of them resort to unfair trade practices. However, thanks to the consumer forums and consumer activists, there is a greater awareness among consumers, while buying a product. The CPA has also helped in curbing some of the malpractices. But it`s still a long way before the consumer can be called a ‘king’.

The July 2012 issue of One India One People focuses on the concerns and rights of consumers. If only all consumers, wake up and be enlightened about their rights and duties, that there will be less incidents of getting cheated is what consumer activists advocate.

In the lead article ‘Improve the Consumer Act’, Jehangir B. Gai, consumer activist and winner of Government of India’s National Youth Award for Consumer Protection, calls for a suitable amendment to the Consumer Protection Act of 1986 to achieve its objectives. For speedy redressal of complaints, he advocates that the Act be restricted to individual consumers and relegate business houses to the regular civil courts.

In ‘If we don’t go green, we will soon see red’, Dr. Roopa Vajpeyi, Editor, Consumer VOICE, warns that unless India protects its ecological spaces through a combination of eco-friendly policies and programmes and with people’s participation, the country may soon find itself sitting on an ecological time bomb.

Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums have evolved since they were set up 25 years ago. However, active participation by all its stakeholders could make the forums far more effective, says Dr. Prem Lata, member, Consumer District Redressal Forum, North West Delhi, in her article ‘25-year journey for redressal’.

In ‘Help is a call away’, Sunil Prabhakar, a well-known expert on consumer issues on BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance), Advisor-Consumer Voice, National Consumer Helpline and panelist as Sr. Economist on All India Radio writes on The National Consumer Helpline 1800-11-4000, started seven years back, which has become very popular with consumers as they get quick information and guidance on their queries.

 

Milk adulteration in the country is rampant. While those guilty of such malpractices should be brought to book, it is also the duty of consumers to remain alert and report such cases, writes Ashok Kanchan, Technical Advisor with VOICE, a Consumer NGO & Advisor with National Consumer Helpline (NCH), a Public Service Project of Ministry of Consumer Affairs in the article ‘The white poison’.

 

Misleading advertisements infringe on the rights of consumers and influence their product choices. Dr. Sheetal Kapoor, Associate Professor, Department of Commerce and Convenor, Consumer Club, Kamala Nehru College, New Delhi in the article ‘The consumer trap’ stresses the need for the government and other regulatory bodies to come up with stringent laws and better enforcement to curb unfair trade practices.

Consumers are facing severe health risks due to indiscriminate use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. India needs a robust policy to ensure that consumers are protected from unsafe and unhealthy food, writes Bejon Misra, a Consumer Expert and Member of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in the article, ‘What’s on your plate?’

In ‘Know India Better’ we feature one of the holiest cities in India, Allahabad, situated at the holy Triveni Sangam, where the famous Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years. It is a city of historical significance and was at the forefront of the freedom movement. Allahabad’s importance may have waned, but its eminence will never diminish as long as the Kumbh Mela continues to be observed and the historical monuments stand proudly on its land. The text and photographs are by Dr. M.A. Haque, retired Director-Scientific, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

In ‘Face to Face’, Anshika Swaroop interviews veteran activist, Mr. Narendra G. Wagle, who has been at the heart of the consumer movement in India. A consumer activist, who retired 10 years back from the post of Chairman and President of the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI), Mr. Wagle has worked in a wide spectrum of professions. Having served on various national and international government and quasi-government councils and committees including Bureau of Indian Standards, Central Pollution Board, Ministry of Health etc, he has garnered extensive experience and expertise. He believes in upholding the rights of the consumer and has helped several people to fight for them.

In ‘Focus’, B. Ramesh Babu analyses the meeting of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the article ‘Looking East’.

Our ‘Great Indians’ for the month are:

Sardul Singh Caveeshar: The word warrior (1886-1963) - Sardul Singh Caveeshar was one of the leading freedom fighters from Punjab. He was a prolific writer, thinker, political leader, journalist, editor and a nationalist. For his great services rendered to the nation, and his radical-progressive views, he will be remembered for long. (Text by Dr. Ravindra Kumar, former Vice-Chancellor, CCS University, Meerut)

Admiral S M Nanda  PVSM, AVSM: India’s Nelson (1915-2009) - He was called India’s Nelson for his bold decisions. Admiral S M Nanda’s meticulous plan helped attack Karachi harbour successfully in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Under his command, the Indian Navy achieved due recognition. (By Brig Suresh Chandra Sharma (retd.))

 

Prof. Leela Dube: The feminist crusader (1923-2012) - Prof. Leela Dube was a renowned feminist anthropologist and a crusader for women’s rights, who enriched a discipline of anthropology by bringing new insights into women’s studies. (By Dr. Vibhuti Patel, Professor and Head, Dept. of Economics, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai)

And also read our regular columns and other features.

And also read our regular columns and other features. To book a copy, email to oiopfoundation@gmai.com / oiop@vsnl.net or call Nagesh Bangera, OIOP Subscription-in-charge at 022- 2353 44 00.

We look forward to your feedback.