To promote consumer rights and responsibilities, there are two occasions to celebrate. March 15 is World Consumer Day (WCD) and December 24 National Consumer Day (NCD). Despite ample opportunities provided by these two celebrations over the years, consumer movement in Odisha has made little progress. One can even argue that it is dormant today. Let us introspect why we have failed to usher in a consumer rights revolution as intended by our Parliament when they adopted the path-breaking Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) in 1986.
The theme of this year’s NCD is “Consumer: Know Your Rights.” Let us do some introspection on who in Odisha are in a position to educate consumers of all kinds, poor or rich, literate or illiterate, professionals or blue collar workers, men or women, teachers or students. Everyone is a consumer and has suffered or been cheated while buying goods or services, private or Government.
The COPRA was amended extensively with many outstanding features in 2019. The several consumer-friendly features of COPRA are: resolution of complaints in less than 90 days, submitting complaint on plain paper, no need of a lawyer, no fees till claimed compensation exceeds Rs 15 lakh, manufactures responsible for product liability, filing complaints electronically, alternate resolution mechanism through mediation, action against unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements and providing consumer protection while purchasing online.
But how many of us know about these? Equally important, how many know how consumer courts have been functioning?
Let us now look at different stakeholders who could have contributed to promote a vibrant consumer movement. The District Consumer Commissions (DCCs) could have regularly given Press notes on their functioning. The DCCs should publicise some of their path-breaking judgments where they were able to help consumers. It could have written articles to educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities. Only time we hear about Consumer Courts is during celebrations of WCDs and NCDs where their Presidents are invited as chief guests.
The COPRA is taught as a subject to all students in commerce and law colleges. At one time, there were consumer protection clubs in some schools and colleges. But how many law and commerce colleges have taken time and made efforts to survey the consumer problems and educate them on the use of COPRA?
Under the NEP, community involvement and social responsibility are expected to be stressed as much as lectures. Let us hope our teachers will train themselves and take their responsibility seriously. There are thousands of retired professionals in Odisha. Do they feel they need to join some NGOs or, in their own individual capacity, take time to get involved in the consumer movement? In my opinion, one retired or not, should take some time to get involved. For democracy to succeed, eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay by involving in socially-relevant projects.
(The writer stays at E-237, GGP Colony, Bhubaneswar. Mob: 9437616497. He works with NSS, CHSE. The views expressed are his own)