GUWAHATI, June 18 - To protect the consumers from unfair trade practices as well as to generate awareness among people regarding consumer laws and the mechanism to lodge complaints against the infringement of such laws, the Consumer Rights Organisation (CRO) has started operating in the State with opening of its Assam branch.
The CRO is a pan India non-political organisation that gives a platform to the consumers� voices and also helps in redressing their grievances. The organisation is approved by the Government of India.
�Consumers� rights are violated and infringed upon at many places and facilities. Our objective is to assist the consumers in establishing their rights. Most of the people are either not aware about their rights as consumers or hesitate to stand for their legitimate due even if they are cheated by shops or service providers. Through this platform, we intend to take up such cases through proper channels to ensure justice. Simultaneously, we would also generate awareness among people regarding their rights,� Uttam Bhattacharyya, president of the State branch of the CRO told media persons here today. �We are in the process of forming our district committees in every district of the State so that the consumers can directly approach us for any help or assistance. The consumers can approach us at our Christian Basti office on the GS Road,� he added.
The issues to be taken on a priority basis by the organisation include violation of safety of schoolchildren in school buses, proper implementation of CBSE and government guidelines in schools, protection of women and children against exploitation, educating people on the latest consumer laws, healthy atmosphere in prisons, consumer related issues like fair price shop, LPG consumers, price rise, malpractices adopted by roadside eateries, violating existing rules, etc.
Other issues getting emphasis include corruption in govt, semi-govt and private sectors and taking the consumer rights movement to village level. The State unit would meet every fourth Saturday/Sunday in a month to review the activities and programmes undertaken during the month.
