question_answer 12)

Explain the role of consumer organizations and NGOs in protecting and promoting consumers' interest.

Answer:

Consumer organization and NGOs perform several functions lot the protection and promotion of interest of consumers. In India, these associations are performing lots of functions some of them are (i) Educating the general public about consumer rights by organizing training programmes, seminars and workshops. (ii) Publishing periodicals and other publications to impart knowledge about consumer problems, legal reporting, reliefs available and other matters of interest. (iii) Carrying out comparative testing of consumer products in accredited laboratories to test relative qualities of competing brands and publishing the test results for the benefit of consumers. (iv) Encouraging consumers to strongly protest and take an action against unscrupulous, exploitation and unfair trade practices of sellers. (v) Providing legal assistance to consumers by providing aid, legal advice etc in seeking legal remedy. (vi) Filing complaints in appropriate consumer courts on behalf of the consumers. (vii) Taking an initiative in filing cases in consumer court in the interest of the general public, not for any individual.