“The network of media and consumer activists can be effective tool to protect the interest of consumers” expressed Mrs. Pragya Paliwal, Director News, Doordarshan Kendra, Jaipur while addressing a media consultation organised by CUTS International today at Hotel Jaipur Palace. She stated that media should give more space to concerns of common consumers.
Mr. P.N. Pandey, Joint Director, Weights and Measure Department, GoR emphasised on the lack of infrastructure and manpower in the department, he told that today one inspector is catering about 22000-25000 establishments against the norms of one inspector for 1500 establishments. He also endorsed the demand of a separate department for legal metrology in Rajasthan.
Mr. Vimal Jain, Rajasthan Patrika said that despite all constraints media will continue to highlight the issues of common men which are backed by proper evidence. “Media should concentrate and highlight consumer issues’, remarked Mr. Sunny Sebastian, Special Correspondent, ‘The Hindu’
Highlighting various issues for common consumers like international trade, derivative trading, healthcare, outdated education system, fast urbanisation etc. chief executive ‘Nafa Nuksaan’, Mr. J.S. Kothari, urged media to join hands to raise awareness on these issues and to build pressure on government for adopting preventing policies.
In his opening remarks Mr. George Cherian, Director CUTS International flagged the issues of the non-existence of Consumer Protection Councils in state, delay in justice in consumer fora, absence of consumer directorate and consumer helpline etc.
Mr. Amarjeet Singh from CUTS CART presented the key findings and recommendations of the study done under the project of working of departments for consumer protection at the district level. He revealed that only 26% cases are resolved within the stipulated time, health department found only 14% adulterated food, most of the drug inspector shoulders responsibility of more than 2 districts and many more burning issues. Mr. Deepak Saxena, CUTS CART presented about project overview and Mr. Arjun Kant thanked the participants for their valuable suggestions.
A research document was released disclosing the status of consumer protection/welfare regime in Rajasthan, which we have compiled through a survey conducted in the project area of 12 districts in Rajasthan incorporating departments of District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum, District Supply Office & Collector’s Office, Health Department & District Drug Inspector and Legal Metrology department. A training manual on consumer protection was also released in the meeting.
The consultation was attended by about 50 media representatives belonging to print as well as electronic media.
For more information please contact:
Deepak Saxena (+91- 9351366827) / Amarjeet Singh (+91-9829015812)
CUTS Center for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS- CART)
D-222, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park Jaipur 302 016, India
Ph: 91.141.5133259, 2282 823/2282 482
Fax: 91.141. 4015395
Email: as7@cuts.org; granirca@cuts.org
Project webpage: www.cuts-international.org/cart/GRANIRCA