Question

Justify the following statement.

The aim of the consumer organization is to protect the rights of the consumer.

Answer 1

The role of consumer organization type of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in consumer protection is explained as follows:

1. NGOs organise campaigns and various programmes on consumer issues to create social awareness.
2. They initiate and organise training programmes for the consumers and make them aware and conscious of their rights and various modes of redressal of their grievances.
3. They publish journals and periodicals at regular intervals to make the consumers understand and keep them informed about various consumer-related developments.
4. They provide legal advice free of charge to the members on matters of consumer interest and help them to put up grievances before the appropriate authority.
5. NGO's active members interact (communicate) with the businessmen and Chambers of Commerce and Industry for ensuring a better deal for the consumers.
6. The file Public Interest Litigation (Janhit Yachika) on important consumer issues like a ban on a product or medicine injurious to public health. They also file cases in the court of law to safeguard their rights and protect the interest of the general public.
7. A few examples of NGOs working for the consumers are the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI), the Voluntary Organisation in Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE), the Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), Consumers Association of India (CAI), Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP), Grahak Shakti (GS), etc.