Dec 24 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH AWARENESS
The success of consumer movement mainly depends upon the level of consumer awareness generated in the country by educating the consumers about their rights and responsibilities
Awareness of consumer rights is dismal, espe cially among the population in rural and far-flung areas of the country. It also varies in different regions in the country. Compared to the developed countries, the levels of consumer awareness in such a vast country with a large population like India is much lower.This is rooted in economic inequality, low levels of literacy and ignorance. Because of this, consumers are not able to assert their rights and on many occasions are exploited by the trade and industry and service providers. Protecting and promoting the welfare of consumers has thus become one of the major concerns.
Educating more than 110 crore people of various categories of population particularly those in rural areas where consumers are more susceptible to exploitation, on various subject matters on consumer interests which are being dealt by different ministriesdepartment, is a gigantic task that can only be undertaken as a sustained national programme with adequate funds made available for the purpose.
Globalisation and liberalisation of trade and business has resulted in many products and services being available to the consumers.Growth in economy has resulted in increase in the purchasing power of the middle class section, which is the largest segment of the population. This has necessitated giving high priority for the protection of the consumers and promotion of responsible consumer move ment in the country.
The necessity of import substitution and export promotion for building up a sound economy and fiscal base in the country and lack of adequate industrial testing facilities in the country has necessitated improved adop tion of Indian Standards by industry, large scale purchasing organisations, statutory bodies and universities.
With the gradual withdrawal of the government from various sectors in the post-liberalization era, the need has been felt that various operators in the commodities market be provided with a mechanism to hedge and transfer their risks.India's obligation under WTO to open agriculture sector to world trade would require futures trade in a wide variety of primary commodities and their products to enable diverse market functionaries to cope with the price volatility prevailing in the world markets.
Several factors such as increased demand due to economic growth, shortfall in domestic prices of essential commodities, hardening of international prices, changes in consumption pattern and loss of crop due to natural factors have resulted in increase in price of essential commodities. Consumer grievances redressal mecha nism, various consumer organisations, academic institutions and research organisations can supple ment the efforts of the gov ernment and can be vehicles for effective launch of a mas sive consumer movement in the country. State govern ments also have a role to play in efficiently imple menting various pro grammes at grassroots level.
The Department of Con sumer Affairs, Government of India, is the focal point for different departments and organizations to make the consumers aware of market realities as well as the rights of the consumers and the manner in which they can educate themselves and also enforce their rights. Accordingly, the `Jago Grahak Jago' campaign has become immensely popular and is now being used by several departments to communicate with consumers. From the response received through the consumer helplines as well as the evaluation of the progress, it is now clear that there has been a huge impact on account of this programme.
(Source: Department of Consumer Affairs )
Educating more than 110 crore people of various categories of population particularly those in rural areas where consumers are more susceptible to exploitation, on various subject matters on consumer interests which are being dealt by different ministriesdepartment, is a gigantic task that can only be undertaken as a sustained national programme with adequate funds made available for the purpose.
Globalisation and liberalisation of trade and business has resulted in many products and services being available to the consumers.Growth in economy has resulted in increase in the purchasing power of the middle class section, which is the largest segment of the population. This has necessitated giving high priority for the protection of the consumers and promotion of responsible consumer move ment in the country.
The necessity of import substitution and export promotion for building up a sound economy and fiscal base in the country and lack of adequate industrial testing facilities in the country has necessitated improved adop tion of Indian Standards by industry, large scale purchasing organisations, statutory bodies and universities.
With the gradual withdrawal of the government from various sectors in the post-liberalization era, the need has been felt that various operators in the commodities market be provided with a mechanism to hedge and transfer their risks.India's obligation under WTO to open agriculture sector to world trade would require futures trade in a wide variety of primary commodities and their products to enable diverse market functionaries to cope with the price volatility prevailing in the world markets.
Several factors such as increased demand due to economic growth, shortfall in domestic prices of essential commodities, hardening of international prices, changes in consumption pattern and loss of crop due to natural factors have resulted in increase in price of essential commodities. Consumer grievances redressal mecha nism, various consumer organisations, academic institutions and research organisations can supple ment the efforts of the gov ernment and can be vehicles for effective launch of a mas sive consumer movement in the country. State govern ments also have a role to play in efficiently imple menting various pro grammes at grassroots level.
The Department of Con sumer Affairs, Government of India, is the focal point for different departments and organizations to make the consumers aware of market realities as well as the rights of the consumers and the manner in which they can educate themselves and also enforce their rights. Accordingly, the `Jago Grahak Jago' campaign has become immensely popular and is now being used by several departments to communicate with consumers. From the response received through the consumer helplines as well as the evaluation of the progress, it is now clear that there has been a huge impact on account of this programme.
(Source: Department of Consumer Affairs )
