Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI)
The Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI) was formed to
fight consumer exploitation of all forms. The consumers have often been given
substandard products & services, adulterated foods, short weights &
measures, spurious drugs, exorbitant prices & many other outrageous crimes.
The CGSI has many achievements:
1. It is the earliest consumers’
organization founded in 1966.
2. CGSI was the first to demand a
Consumer Protection Act.
3. 70% of the complaints have been
redressed.
4. CGSI established a formal Product
Testing in India in 1977.
5. “Keemat” was the first magazine
published by CGSI imparting important information to consumer.
6. CGSI promotes consumer education,
undertakes training project in rural areas & represents consumer interests
with government & other bodies.
7. CGSI received the National Award for
Consumer Protection in 1991.
8. CGSI is the only Indian consumer
organization to be council member of consumer International for 25 years.
9. CGSI is a member of the Master State
Consumer Protection Council.
10. CGSI participates in large number of
technical Committees & government decision making bodies.
In 1975 CGSI pressed for a Consumer Protection Act &
Consumer Court. The CGSI deals with consumer complaints & gives guidance to
those who wish to go to the consumer court. The CGSI also brings both parties
together to resolve issues. It has covered many issues relating to medical
malpractice & negligence, insurance non-payment, substandard drugs,
defective household appliances, etc.
Due to the efforts of CGSI, ISI certification for pressure
stove became mandatory. CGSI has managed to have consumer education introduced
in schools at the 9th standard & being covered progressively
from 4th standard. The subjects taught are Consumer Movement, Right
& Responsibilities of Consumers Food Adulteration, Weights & Measures,
the Environment, etc.
CGSI have standard a rural project in villages in Thana &
Raigad districts in 1997. CGSI launched the Pedestrian wing in June 1999. The
activities include regular & continuous interaction with Traffic Police,
Transport Commissioner & RTO at all levels for redressal of grievances of
pedestrians & improvement in facilities. The pedestrian wing works closely
with likeminded NGO’s & other is in contact with the Pedestrian Association
of UK.
CGSI was the first consumer organization to demand special
consumer guidance for redressal of consumer complaints. The delegation of five
consumer organization from different parts of India pressed for a comprehensive
Consumer Protection Act, Special consumer court & directorate of the Act.
CGSI handles consumer complaints & offers legal advice.
If there are a number of complaints against a particular party both are brought
together to resolve the issue.
The CGSI complaints committee meets twice a week 70% success
in forward complaints were medical surgical malpractice & negligence,
insurance, non-payment, sub-standard drugs, medicines, home remedies, defective
household appliances, poor quality, food & drink, misleading advertising
claims, etc.
CGSI education committee has been working to introduce
consumer education in school. The Maharashtra Education board has now
introduced consume education at the 9th standard. They are taught
consumer movement, food adulteration, weights & measure, environment, etc.
CGSI have also started rural projects. CGSI is the first NGO
to start a forum for the pedestrian.
How to complain:
·
Be
sure the complaint is sound.
·
Present
it politely.
·
Preserve
cash memos & warranty card.
·
First
approach the retailer. He may have a valid explanation.
·
If
he is unresponsive write to the manufacturer quoting No & date of warranty
card.
·
Retain
all originals keep copies of your letter.
·
In
case of suspected food & drug adulteration write to the State health
authorities retain samples where possible.
·
If
CGSI products perform pearly write to the respective agencies.
·
If
there is no response write to the consumer guidance society of India.
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