Consumer Guidance Society of India (GGSI)
Since independence, India has been striving to develop and strengthen its industrial base in pursuit of “Self-Sufficiency”. However the consumer has been made to endure sub-standard products and services, adulterated foods, short weights and measures, spurious and hazardous drugs, exorbitant prices, hoarding of goods leading to artificial shortages, leading to black marketing and profiteering.
This outrage energized nine ladies to organize a movement to fight for consumer rights. They formed Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) to resist consumer exploitation of all forms.
Highlights:
1) It is the earliest consumer organization in India, founded in 1966.
2) It was first to demand a Consumer Protection Act with consumer courts, which became a reality in 1986.
3) To date 70% of the thousands of complaints referred to CGSI have been redressed.
4) It established formal Product Testing in India.
5) It was first to publish monthly magazine “Keemat” highlighting information of importance of consumer.
6) It promotes consumer education, initiates training projects in rural areas; publicity drives, and represents consumer interest with Government and other bodies.
7) It received National Award for consumer Protection in 1991.
8) It is the only Indian Consumer Organization to be a council member of Consumer International for 25 years.
Legal Frame Work:
It was the first consumer organization to demand special Consumer Court for redressal of Consumer Complaint in 1975.
It handles consumer complaints and offers legal guidance to those wishing to file suits in Consumer Courts. In case of complaints are many against a particular party both sides are brought together to resolve the issue.
It has handled over the years with 70% success complaints covering Medical/Surgical malpractices, negligence, insurance non payment, sub-standard drugs and medicines, defective house hold devices, poor quality foods and drinks, misleading advertisement claims and grievances concerning investments, telephones and electricity supplies.
Product Testing:
It established in 1977 facility of product testing. It first assessed the safety performance of domestic pressure stoves and found 2/3 rd of the samples failed safety measures. It also interacts with Indian Standard Institutions (ISI) regarding quality control of the products and services.
Consumer Education for Schools / Colleges:
It is working with like-minded educationist to formally introduce Consumer Education in school curriculum. After 2 years of inter actions, in 1994, the Maharashtra Education Board introduced Consumer Education at the 9th standard level progressively covering students from 4th standard upwards.
Publications:
“Keemat” now a 3-decade+ publication, the first consumer magazine in India, published monthly. It has also produced guides on subject like Electrical Appliances, Edible Oils, Pesticides, Food Adulteration, and Safety at Home, Safe Blood etc.
Pedestrian Wing:
To secure rights of pedestrian to walk in safety, constituting as they do the largest segment of traffic stream in our country.
It crates awareness about the rights and responsibilities of Pedestrians. To spread awareness about importance of walking as a mode of transport and facilities its use for short distance transportation. To facilitate use of user friendly Public Transport and
Encourage its use by public. To fight proper orderly and safe traffic Management and conduct/handling of all related matters conducive to minimum vehicle pollution. To network and co-operate with all Government, Municipal and like-minded NGOs, Citizen groups working or engaged in transportation field. It also includes regular and continuous interactions with MCGM, traffic police, transport commissioner and RTOs at all levels.
Consumer Complaints Why and How:
Consumer who complains allows himself or herself to be brainwashed into believing that they are trouble makers. Consumers must not hesitate to complain about adulterations, sub-standard drugs and cosmetics, shoddy product quality, unsatisfactory after sales service etc. There is also the Package Commodities Act which insist that weights, price, date of manufacture and ingredients are marked on all packages. This Act as well as “Agmark” and “ISI” mark can be of substantial assistance in the fight for consumer rights.
How to Complain:
1) Be sure the complaint is sound.
2) Present it politely, elicit co-operation
3) Preserve cash memos and warranty card
4) With these, first approach the retailer. He may have a valid explanation.
5) If he is unresponsive, write to the manufacturer, quoting no and date of cash memo no and date of cash memo and date of Warranty card.
6) Retain all originals; keep copies of your letters.
7) In case of suspected Food and drug adulteration write to State health
authorities. Retain samples wherever possible.
8) If products with ISI/AGMARK certification performs poorly write to the respective agency, ISI certification guarantees free replacement.
9) If there is no response, write to Consumer Guidance Society of India, Block “J” Mahapalika Marg, and Mumbai 400001.
10) Don’t give up if your complaint is valid, stand your ground.
11) If a consumer organization is unable to get your complaint redressed, you may complain to your District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum.
12) Time and Place of the complaint.
13) Relief claimed by you should be in clear words – replacement, / removal
of defect or return of price, compensation for expenses incurred as well as physical/mental torture, if any. The claim amount should be within reasonable limits and Justifiable.
Where to Complain for Guidance and help:
Complaints of representative nature may be filed by registered consumer organization like Consumer Guidance Society of India. For enquiries seek guidance from:
The Complaint Committee, Consumer Guidance Society of India, Block “J” Mahapalka Marg, Mumbai 400 001.
The Council for Fair Business Practices, Great Western Building, 130/132 Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rd, opp Lions Gate, Mumbai 400 038.
The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat Grahak Bhavan, Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg, Juhu Vile Parle, JVPD scheme, Mumbai – 400038.
Since independence, India has been striving to develop and strengthen its industrial base in pursuit of “Self-Sufficiency”. However the consumer has been made to endure sub-standard products and services, adulterated foods, short weights and measures, spurious and hazardous drugs, exorbitant prices, hoarding of goods leading to artificial shortages, leading to black marketing and profiteering.
This outrage energized nine ladies to organize a movement to fight for consumer rights. They formed Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) to resist consumer exploitation of all forms.
Highlights:
1) It is the earliest consumer organization in India, founded in 1966.
2) It was first to demand a Consumer Protection Act with consumer courts, which became a reality in 1986.
3) To date 70% of the thousands of complaints referred to CGSI have been redressed.
4) It established formal Product Testing in India.
5) It was first to publish monthly magazine “Keemat” highlighting information of importance of consumer.
6) It promotes consumer education, initiates training projects in rural areas; publicity drives, and represents consumer interest with Government and other bodies.
7) It received National Award for consumer Protection in 1991.
8) It is the only Indian Consumer Organization to be a council member of Consumer International for 25 years.
Legal Frame Work:
It was the first consumer organization to demand special Consumer Court for redressal of Consumer Complaint in 1975.
It handles consumer complaints and offers legal guidance to those wishing to file suits in Consumer Courts. In case of complaints are many against a particular party both sides are brought together to resolve the issue.
It has handled over the years with 70% success complaints covering Medical/Surgical malpractices, negligence, insurance non payment, sub-standard drugs and medicines, defective house hold devices, poor quality foods and drinks, misleading advertisement claims and grievances concerning investments, telephones and electricity supplies.
Product Testing:
It established in 1977 facility of product testing. It first assessed the safety performance of domestic pressure stoves and found 2/3 rd of the samples failed safety measures. It also interacts with Indian Standard Institutions (ISI) regarding quality control of the products and services.
Consumer Education for Schools / Colleges:
It is working with like-minded educationist to formally introduce Consumer Education in school curriculum. After 2 years of inter actions, in 1994, the Maharashtra Education Board introduced Consumer Education at the 9th standard level progressively covering students from 4th standard upwards.
Publications:
“Keemat” now a 3-decade+ publication, the first consumer magazine in India, published monthly. It has also produced guides on subject like Electrical Appliances, Edible Oils, Pesticides, Food Adulteration, and Safety at Home, Safe Blood etc.
Pedestrian Wing:
To secure rights of pedestrian to walk in safety, constituting as they do the largest segment of traffic stream in our country.
It crates awareness about the rights and responsibilities of Pedestrians. To spread awareness about importance of walking as a mode of transport and facilities its use for short distance transportation. To facilitate use of user friendly Public Transport and
Encourage its use by public. To fight proper orderly and safe traffic Management and conduct/handling of all related matters conducive to minimum vehicle pollution. To network and co-operate with all Government, Municipal and like-minded NGOs, Citizen groups working or engaged in transportation field. It also includes regular and continuous interactions with MCGM, traffic police, transport commissioner and RTOs at all levels.
Consumer Complaints Why and How:
Consumer who complains allows himself or herself to be brainwashed into believing that they are trouble makers. Consumers must not hesitate to complain about adulterations, sub-standard drugs and cosmetics, shoddy product quality, unsatisfactory after sales service etc. There is also the Package Commodities Act which insist that weights, price, date of manufacture and ingredients are marked on all packages. This Act as well as “Agmark” and “ISI” mark can be of substantial assistance in the fight for consumer rights.
How to Complain:
1) Be sure the complaint is sound.
2) Present it politely, elicit co-operation
3) Preserve cash memos and warranty card
4) With these, first approach the retailer. He may have a valid explanation.
5) If he is unresponsive, write to the manufacturer, quoting no and date of cash memo no and date of cash memo and date of Warranty card.
6) Retain all originals; keep copies of your letters.
7) In case of suspected Food and drug adulteration write to State health
authorities. Retain samples wherever possible.
8) If products with ISI/AGMARK certification performs poorly write to the respective agency, ISI certification guarantees free replacement.
9) If there is no response, write to Consumer Guidance Society of India, Block “J” Mahapalika Marg, and Mumbai 400001.
10) Don’t give up if your complaint is valid, stand your ground.
11) If a consumer organization is unable to get your complaint redressed, you may complain to your District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum.
12) Time and Place of the complaint.
13) Relief claimed by you should be in clear words – replacement, / removal
of defect or return of price, compensation for expenses incurred as well as physical/mental torture, if any. The claim amount should be within reasonable limits and Justifiable.
Where to Complain for Guidance and help:
Complaints of representative nature may be filed by registered consumer organization like Consumer Guidance Society of India. For enquiries seek guidance from:
The Complaint Committee, Consumer Guidance Society of India, Block “J” Mahapalka Marg, Mumbai 400 001.
The Council for Fair Business Practices, Great Western Building, 130/132 Shaheed Bhagat Singh Rd, opp Lions Gate, Mumbai 400 038.
The Mumbai Grahak Panchayat Grahak Bhavan, Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg, Juhu Vile Parle, JVPD scheme, Mumbai – 400038.