Right To Consumer Education Prof.(Dr.) C.Rajashekhar Chairman Post-Graduate Department of Studies in Law Karnatak University Dharwad

Meaning of Consumer Education (CE) Consumer Education is a process by which consumers develop skills to make informal decisions in the purchase of goods and services … - U.S.Dept.of Education To educate the consumer as to what, where, when how and how much to buy and to use what they have bought.

Need for Consumer Education in India Three-Fourths population rural based. Total 164.8mn House holds /87.7 mn households under low income group. Consumers are not homogenous Consumers vulnerable to deceit, Fraud, and Exploitation Dumping of shoddy products and spurious drugs in rural market. Consumer not the king. Consumers need to be made aware of their rights and remedies. Awareness empowers consumers.

UN Guidelines on Consumer Education Impose obligation on governments to develop general consumer education and information Aim of UN Programme to enable people to make informed choice of goods and services To make conscious of their rights and responsibilities Special attention to the needs of disadvantaged consumers To make consumer education an integral part of curriculum.

Areas covered under CE Health, Nutrition, food borne diseases and food adulteration Product hazards Product labelling Redressal of grievances Weights and measures, prices, quality, credit conditions. Involving VCOs, Media Training Programmes

Consumer Awareness in India Survey Findings 1.Independent Evaluation of the CPA, 1986 by IIPA in Respondents 16.44% awareness of the Act 2.Survey by ORG Centre for Social Research by the CAG, ,732 Respondents 82% were unaware of the Act 66% were not aware of consumer rights 3. Findings of IDCG survey, respondents/88 districts/19 states 40% respondents are aware about consumer rights 41% not aware

Indias Consumer Awareness and Education Programme (1 ) Multimedia campaign –from Promoting awareness –Radio, TV, Internet. Jago Grahak Jago Out door campaign Publicity through Electronic Media Use of Internet.

Contd… Contd…. (2) Role of NGOs / VCOs - At grass root level (3) Role of Educational Institutions Schools, Colleges- consumer clubs Fellowships for Research Training workshop for University/College teachers Chairs of Excellence –NLSIU

Evaluation and Monitoring Regular Meeting of Multimedia Committee Representation from IB/DAVP/DD/AIR/VCOs.

Consumer Advice Centers On Pilot basis in 4 States Provide up to date, reliable information and independent consultation.

Comparative Testing Results Effective consumer awareness function Executed by Two VCOs. (a) Voice Society- Consumer Voice (b) CERC- Insight. Test and Report products/year

Recommendations Public campaign to upgrade from Jago Grahak Jago to Assert Rights, Pursue Remedies. Awareness Programme to be pursued aggressively at Taluk /District Levels Consumer education to be included in curriculum from primary to college level Monitoring consumer clubs, District Consumer Protection Councils, information centers through VCOs.

Contd… Resource material for training teachers. Publication of newsletters by college to be funded. Enhancing comparative testing capacity. Enhancing availability of consumer journals. Involvement of journalists. Setting up of National Consumers Protection Authority. - to deal with misleading, indecent advertisements

Thank you