The young State of Telangana which has been proactive to attract investments, achieve greater growth parameters has been getting a thumbs down from the consumer activists for its indifference to the protection of consumers’ rights.
The combined State of Andhra Pradesh made a name for itself in enforcement of Consumers Protection Act, strengthening the consumer movement and encouraging the voluntary consumer organisations to flag the concerns of people to the State and District Consumers Fora.
The Confederation of All Telangana Consumer Organisations (CATCO), however, now have a sorry tale to tell about total apathy of the government towards the consumers’ rights and welfare. “It is three years since Telangana State was formed but the member posts in the district consumer forums are still vacant. Over 70 per cent of cases filed in various District Forums are pending for about four years,” they say.
Another glaring neglect by the government is in revitalising the Information Commission after the Court struck down appointments of Information Commissioners. With government showing no urgency to keep the institution up and running, the Right to Information Act made irrelevant.
The government’s apathy will collapse two important institutional mechanisms that gave people power to call out the discrepancies and get speedy penal and remedial action against the culprits, say worried activists.
CATCO members point out the posts of the President of the Consumer Forums were filled recently after the consumer organisations moved the court. But instead of appointing experienced persons, the posts were filled with party functionaries.
“ The intent is apparently not to strengthen the consumers’ cause”, CATCO representatives N.Srinivas and A.Bala Kishan point out.
There are 12 District Consumer Forums in the State and 18 member posts were vacant. After reorganisation, 21 new districts were formed and they too should get their own district forums with presidents and members.
Consumer organisations take up issues affecting the lives of people from womb to tomb. There was spurt in food adulteration, sale of fake seeds and spurious fertilizers to farmers, severe cash crunch in banks and ATMS after demonetisation, builders faulting on delivery schedules and promised services to home buyers. Discrepancy in services by government institutions, private companies, lacunae in public distribution system.
There are several aspects which the consumer associations bring to government notice and act like the watch dog for corrective action and bolster confidence of common man. “But whenever we went to meet the Secretary of Consumer Affairs, we were made to wait for hours and return in vain. Government should appoint officers who are sensitive to the Consumer Protection Act,” said Bala Kishan, Secretary General.
“At least government officers should value our time and hear us out when we go to them ,” said CATCO Chairman Srinivas.
There are over 4,000 cases- about 70 per cent of cases filed- pending in various districts. While the Act stipulates cases to be resolved in 90 days, some are pending since six years. Situation is no different in the State Commission with the member posts lying vacant.
Of 1,768 petitions filed in the last three years, only 195 cases were disposed. There are no State and District Consumer Protection Council nor price regulation, vigilance and food advisory committees giving a free run to the traders resorting to unfair practices.