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Department of Consumer Affairs proposes to utilize the help of leading institutions like IITs and IIMs to promote consumer protection. As future leaders in trade and industry, these institutions can influence corporate policy by highlighting the need for establishing effective in house or informal grievance redressal systems; said Smt. Alka Sirohi, Additional Secretary, Consumer Affairs while inaugurating a “National Conference on Protection and Welfare of Consumer Interests: Need for a Convergent Approach” here today. The one-day Conference is being organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and is sponsored by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The main objective of the conference is to develop strategies to involve institutions of repute to make effective contribution for better protection of consumer rights.
The Ministry has chalked out several measures to have a convergent-approach in the area of consumer protection by enlisting a responsive and pro-active consumer protection regime in the country. They include: creation of market conditions that promote competition in public and private sector; promotion of ethical conduct and responsiveness of traders and service providers; elimination of unfair and restrictive trade practices, sensitisation of trade and industry and service providers to consumer interest; facilitating participation of consumer groups in the decision-making process at central, state and local governments so as to provide effective representation to consumer interests etc; Smt. Sirohi said.
The Department of Consumer Affairs had already associated the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) to involve research institutions, universities and colleges in consumer protection by the task of analyzing research proposals for consumer welfare from premier institutions. IITs , IIMs and other leading institutions can influence corporate policies in ensuring social responsibilities, she added.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. (Mrs) Jayshree Gupta, Joint Secretary, Consumer Affairs suggested that premier institutions should involve themselves in coordination with NGO’s in the task of improving the quality of products. The Department should consider creation of chairs in such institutions in the area of consumer protection, she said.
The National Conference is being attended by representatives from IIMs, IITs leading hospitals, consumer organizations medical colleges and research institutions.
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