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The Consumer's Forum (Reg.)

AN OVER-VIEW

The Consumer's Forum is a non-governmental, non-political, voluntary organization registered under the societies act and is solely developed to the cause of consumerism The aims of the Consumer's Forum is to promote and protect the rights and interests of consumers.

The Consumer's Forum was founded by late Shri Gyan Pandit in the year 1979. The forum through the selfless and untiring efforts of its founder has been instrumental in prompting consumerism at a time when little was known about it in India. Even rights of consumers had not been spelt out; there was no separate legislation for protection of consumers. Launching of the consumer's forum thus heralded the ushering of Consumer movement in the country. The Consumer Protection Act 1986 came into force only w.e.f. 15.04.1987. For over a decade and a half, the Consumer's Forum is a front line institution to focus attention of consumers on problems they were either unaware of or which they had accepted as inevitable. The Consumer's Forum has three specialized cells

SEMINAR CELL For organizing seminars and discussions.

PUBLICITY CELL For conducting awareness & publicity campaigns.

LEGAL CELL For processing of complaints and grievances.

The Forum is a member of CONSUMERS INTERNATIONAL ( LONDON) and Consumer Coordination Council, New Delhi.

The Consumer's Forum has been actively engaged with consumer affairs at the local, national and international level. Activities of the forums generally fall under following three categories

1. ONGOING ACTIVITIES: of routine nature, primarily concerned with handling of complaints and representation from consumers. e.g.,

Rendering free advice and guidance to individual consumers on their problems.
Monthly think-tank sessions to discuss and identify problems affecting consumers as a result of government policies and trade practices, complaints and grievances.
Representation of consumers interest and participation in activities of various governmental and non-governmental agencies, such as

                                    a) National consumer disputes redressal commission.
                                    b) Central consumer protection council
                                    c) Delhi states consumer protection council.
                                    d) Bureau of Indian standards

                working group on patent laws.

                                    a) Confederation of Indian industry
                                    b) Federation of Indian chambers of commerce & industry.
                                    c) Federation of Indian consumer’s organization.

2. PROGRAMMED ACTIVITIES: In the area of consumer awareness and training. These activities are carried out in accordance with the annual action plans of the consumer's forum and generally consists of :

· Awareness programmers for organized groups and educational institutions on subjects like consumer movement, rights and legal safeguards for consumers.

· Seminars, workshops and discussions on important issues of consumer interest.

· Exhibitions, competition and participation in special events, e.g. World Consumer's Day.

· Publication of book and literature on consumer topics. A few recent publications by the Consumers Forum are:

Fostering consumer activism.
Advertising and the Dunkel proposals.
Legislation for protection of consumers.
women & Pesticides- proceedings of three day national workshop
Pesticides & You.
Sustainable Agriculture.
Dos & Don'ts for pesticides users.
World Consumers Rights (March 1998) a booklet.
Quarterly News Letter on various topics/ matters for consumers.

3. SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Dealing with contemporary issues affecting consumerism. The Consumer’s Forum organized special programs dealing with contemporary issue of concern the consumer, e.g.

In 1983, the forum hosted the south Asian conference on breast-feeding.
During 1992-1993, seminars and discussions were organized to create awareness on the pros &

cons of Dunkel proposal, GATT negotiations and the new patent regime.
Feb. - Associated in organising an International Convention on Peoples approach to GATT negotiations.
Aug. - Associated with an International Conference organized by Canadian and Indian Drug Manufacturers Association together with AUJRQ (Argentina) and NWGPL (India).
Oct - Organized a program in collaboration with Women Development Centre and Institute og Home Economics ( Delhi University) on Awareness of Consumer and Hiostory of Consumer movement in India and MRTP Act.
Nov. - Organized a Three day National workshop on Women and Pesticide in collaboration with All India Women's Conference and CICO at India International Centre. The project work lasting for 4 months was funded by Consumers International ( Regional Office and Asia & Pacific) and Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Malaysia.

Feb. 1994 - Organized a Consumer Awareness Program at Goverdhan Lal Trehan School, New Delhi.

Sept. 1994 - the forum did follow-up work on the National seminar on Women's & Pesticides as a part of second project funded by CI (ROAP) organized a seven day Trainer's Training Program at Bangalore in collaboration with Technical Directorate at Bangalore.

March 1995 - organized a Seminar on Globalization and Consumers at Kasturba Polytechnic New delhi presided over by Hon'ble L.B. Tiwari , Minister for Consumer Affairs, Govt. Of India.

March 1997 - Organized a seminar at India International Centre on Consumer Grievances & redressal - Alternative presided over by Hon'ble Minister for Consumers Affairs.

Organized a poster Exhibition at BIS, New Delhi in .

1998 - The ministry of PDS and Consumer Affairs selected 10 posters of Consumers Forum for publication and distribution all over India by the Forum.

March - Organized a seminar on The Progress of Consumer Movement in India at India International Centre, presided over by Shri Saheb Singh Verma, Chief Minister Of NCT , Delhi.

Nov. - Carried out survey at RML, Safdarjung and Sucheta Kriplani hospitals regarding their observance of Health Chapter.

Dec. - One day workshop at Dr. RML hospital to discuss results of survey referred at the previous items.

1999 - Citizens Charter translated in Urdu and distributed in India under Govt. of India program.

Nov. - organized half day session at Vigyan Bhawan on Health Issues on the occasion of National Convention of Consumers. published a magazine FORUM on this occasion. the seminar included talks on Alternative System of Medicines and disposal of Hospital waste.

2001 Started a website for dealing with complaints relating to Consumer matters.

2002 - Organized two awareness programs at Two Higher Secondary Schools.

March - organized a program on Environmental Issues in collaboration with Rotary Club of India, delhi Ridge at India International Centre, New Delhi.

July - Started Quarterly news letter on matters on Consumer Awareness and their problems under various Acts connected with consumers. These are distributed free to various NGOs and eminent personalities of Consumer movement.

Dec. - organized a symposium on Proposed Changes in Property Tax by MCD and arbitrary enhancement of Cable Tariff.

2003 - March , Organized a symposium on Consumerism : Trends and Tendencies and Modified Food Varieties

May- June - was principal party of Consumer Co-ordination Council in the press Conference at press club and interviews with Minister I & B and Addl. secretary in the matter of CAS.

OUTLOOK: The Consumer's Forum plans to increase its consumer related activities by extending coverage to rural area around Delhi, organizing training for consumer activities, publication of suitable literature and focusing attention on environmental problems. In order to achieve this, the forum is engaged with the problem of strengthening its infrastructure in terms of proper office accommodation, supporting staff and related facilities. For this, it looks forward to active co-operation and patronage from all concerned