‘Strengthen consumer Act’

Activists favour timely grievance redress, lower fee, decentralised fora

Chandigarh, November 26
The Centre should initiate steps to strengthen the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, to ensure timely redress of consumer grievances and the fee for filing a case should be reduced to Rs 10, on pattern of the RTI Act.

These were the views of consumer activists on the concluding day of the two-day convention. They also demanded the decentralisation of consumer fora to reach the grassroots by establishing headquarters at the subdivisional level.

Welcoming the government’s move to enact the Bill to regulate the real estate sector, which they termed as the need of the hour, the delegates called upon the Centre to withdraw the notification to allow non-standard packages, which caused unfair trade practices.

The convention also focused on consumer empowerment in relation to energy and fuel efficiency, an alternative complaint dispute redress system, public service quality and a citizens’ charter.

The convention resolved to support a strong Lokpal to curb corruption. Another resolution was passed, in which the government was called upon to create an administrative and legal mechanism to ensure the quality of public service.

The convention also resolved that the draft Citizens’ Right to Grievance Redressal Bill, 2011, which is in circulation for discussion, was grossly inadequate.

The convention noted the attempts by the governments of Punjab and Delhi to pass legislations on this subject without adequate consultation with user groups.

A consumer charter of demands for the telecom sector was also passed, in which consumers, both individually and collectively, called upon the government and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to take immediate and concrete steps to remove consumer detriment before the next International Consumer Rights Day, which was March 15 next.

It was resolved that the Consumer Coordination Council undertake projects on good governance and a citizens’ charter in coordination with member organisations, civil society groups and the government.

On alternative dispute redress, it was resolved that the core-centre and toll-free projects of the council be continued and ongoing projects and awareness programmes be organised at the block level and rural areas in the country.