Consumer Education & Research Centre

Ref. : ER/Press/06/th/

Consumers now show an increased level of awareness about issues related to them as indicated by the fact that they ask questions, seek redressal and voice their opinions, said Mr. Chhatrasinh Mori, the Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Gujarat. He was addressing a function in observance of World Consumer Rights Day in Ahmedabad on Monday as the chief guest.

He appreciated non-government organisations (NGOs) for making this possible and cited Consumer Education Research Society (CERS) in particular which has recently won the first prize of Rs. 25,000 from the Government of Gujarat.

Three prominent Ahmedabad-based consumer organisations — Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and Manekchowk Grahak Suraksha Mandal — had organised the function with ‘Health and Safety’ as the theme this year.

Mr. Mori admitted that more efforts are needed in the area of consumer protection, including the redressal mechanism. The need of the hour is to fill the voids in the structure, and the message of the day’s programme should reach out to all the people of Gujarat. Unscrupulous traders still dupe consumers, he regretted, stressing the need for consumers to become more alert.

The Minister, pointing out the State-level efforts to strengthen the consumer movement, said financial aids are being offered to small and big NGOs and textbooks of classes III, VI and IX now compulsorily include chapters on consumer education.

Mr. Justice N. G. Nandi, President, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commision, Ahmedabad, said that all the courts and district forums have been functioning regularly and a few others have been streamlined. The State Government has sanctioned a few additional benches to expedite cases. Voluntary organisations, he added, have been rendering their service, but there is scope for more. NGOs can work in villages to educate the consumers. The courts and forums too are trying to dispose of pending cases soon possible to achieve better results.

Earlier Mr. K. H. Kaji, President, Consumer Protection Council, Ahmedabad, in his welcome address expressed the hope that this year’s celebrations would be the beginning of an active participation by all towards realising the ideals behind observing this day. He also appealed to the Government to ensure that the forums decided the pending cases on time.

Expressing concern at the lack of interest in the new generation in consumer issues, Mr. Kaji said more people should actively participate in this mass movement. Consumer organisations should explore newer avenues to tackle financial constraints, a major hindrance to the progress of the consumer movement, he added.

Prof. Manubhai Shah, Chairman Emeritus, CERC, outlined the history of the consumer movement around the world and also referred to CERC’s achievements during the past 27 years in educating the people.

In the interactive meet that followed, a few members of the audience voiced their consumer concerns and also appreciated the organisations for helping them find succour.

Dr. C.J. Shishoo proposed a vote of thanks.

Date : 21/03/2006

Editor : Pritee Shah
INSIGHT — The Consumer Magazine
Place : Ahmedabad