25 yrs on,consumer still unaware of rights,rues forum
Pune District Consumer Court is forced to reject a number of complaints as complainants fail to support them with documentary evidence such as receipts,bank statements or bills.
2 min read
Even as the Consumer Protection Act,1986,completed 25 years on December 24,the Pune District Consumer Court is forced to reject a number of complaints as complainants fail to support them with documentary evidence such as receipts,bank statements or bills. In the past four months,the court had to reject 35 complaints for want of such documentary proof.
Public awareness of the need to save receipts,bills,bank statements is low. While we try our best to entertain all complaints,it is difficult for those complaints that are not backed up by documents to stand in court, said Anjali Deshmukh,president of the Pune District Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum. She was speaking in the backdrop of silver jubilee of the Consumer Protection Act. Deshmukh said people should be aware of maintaining these records,which are vital evidence.
Some of the other reasons for rejecting complaints are consistent absence of the complainant,complaints that are beyond the jurisdiction and those seeking compensation of over Rs 20 lakh. Sudhakar Velankar,founder of Grahak Hitvardhini,a consumer rights non-voluntary organisation,said,Documents in those cases where the complaint is against a builder and the complainant has taken a loan are up-to-date as one requires them for the bank loan. Other than these,the requirement of documents vary according to the complaint,he added. For instance,if the complaint is about a product,one needs to have the receipt and guarantee/warranty card with stamp and so on.
Meanwhile,to mark the silver jubilee,Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI),has launched three initiatives to help consumers fight for their rights.
Citizens can now call up the state governments consumer grievance help line 1800 222 262 and ask CGSI volunteers to test milk samples that they suspect to be adulterated,report increase in dead calls wherein a customer is charged for repeated call drops and test faulty weighing machines at local grocery or retail outlets. The CGSI,established in 1966,is a non-profit organisation working to help consumers to solve their grievances.
You May Like
