Question

What are various ways in which the objective of consumer protection can be achieved?

Explain the role of consumer organisations and NGOs in this regard.

Answer 1

There are various ways in which the objective of consumer protection can be achieved -

(1)-Self Regulation by Business Socially responsible firms follow ethical standards and practices in dealing with their customers. Many firms have set up their customer service and grievance cells to redress the problems and grievances of their consumers.

(2)- Business Associations The associations of trade, commerce and business like Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce of India (FICCI) and Conference of Indian Industries (CII) have laid down their code of conduct which lays down for their members the guidelines in their dealings with the customers.

(3) Consumer Awareness A consumer, who is well informed about his rights and the reliefs, would be in a position to raise his voice against any unfair trade practices or exploitation

(4) Consumer Organisations Consumer organisations plays an important protecting role in educating consumers about their rights and them. These organisations can force business firms to avoid malpractices and exploitation of consumers.

Functions performed by consumer organizations and non-government organizations are as follows:

(1) Accelerating Consumer Awareness/Educating Consumers.

The first priority of a consumer organisation is to accelerate consumer awareness towards their rights. To accomplish this task following efforts are made:

(i) To publish brochures, journals, and monographs.

(ii) To arrange conferences, seminars, and workshops.

(2) Collecting Data on Different Products and testing them:

These organisations collect samples of different products from time to time and test them. After that, the results of the tests are declared to the public. In this way, these organisations provide prior information to consumers about the authenticity of product and protect them. Apart from this, these organisations also work in conducting investigation/ research on consumer’s problems.

(3) Filing Suit on Behalf of Consumers:

Whenever a consumer fails to raise his voice of protest regarding his complaints, these consumers’ organisations come to his rescue and file a case in the court. By rendering this service to the consumers, the consumers get a feeling that they are not alone in their struggle. They also run voluntary complaint centers for the guidance of consumers.

(4) Organising Protests against Adulteration etc.:

The consumers’ organisations play a significant role in eliminating the evils of adulteration, hoarding, black- marketing, and under-weight selling. Whenever there is an unnecessary rise in the prices of certain things, the consumers’ organisation raise a voice of protest against it.

(5) Helping Educational Institutions:

These organisations tell the educational institutions the way to prepare courses of study keeping in view the interests of the consumers. They stress the fact that a special article on consumers’ interest should always be added to the courses on a general study.

(6) Promoting Network of Consumer Associations:

Consumer organisations are trying to grow their numbers. They want to cover all the regions of the country so that consumers of all the regions are benefited by their services. Their effort is to form a federation at the apex level and then through the medium of the federation reach state and district level.

(7) Extending Support to Government:

Consumer organisations by informing the government agencies about adulteration, artificial scarcity, inferior quality products, and other such evils help the government. This, in turn, helps the government to conduct proceedings in time.