question_answer 14)

What are various ways in which the objective of consumer protection can be achieved? Explain the role of consumer organizations and NGOs in this regard?

Answer:

There are various ways in which the objective of consumer protection can be achieved (i) 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. (ii) 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. (iii) 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. (iv) Consumer Organizations Consumer organizations plays an important role in educating consumers about their rights and protecting them. These organizations can force business firms to avoid malpractices and exploitation of consumers. (v) Government The Government can protect the interests of the consumers by enacting various legislations. The legal framework in India encompasses various legislations which provide protection to consumer, the most important of these regulations is the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Act provides for a three-tier machinery at the District, State and National levels for redressal of consumer grievance. Role of Consumer Orgs and NGOs 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.