N. N. Vohra, Governor, inaugurated a 2-day Workshop on “Consumer Protection and Consumer Welfare”, organized by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch, and the Centre for Consumer Studies, IIPA, New Delhi, here today. This Workshop has been sponsored by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. The Governor, who was the Chief Guest at the inaugural function, speaking on the occasion, emphasized the need for sustained high attention being devoted to the varied issues concerning consumer protection and consumer welfare. Referring to his five decades long association with the IIPA, the Governor observed that today consumerism is an all pervasive phenomenon, unlike as in the past decades when market transactions were limited to a few commodities.
He added that the advancement of international trade, globalization and open markets has led to the movement of goods and services across the globe for delivery virtually at our doorsteps. This phenomenon, along with dynamic and sophisticated advertising campaigns, has led to a situation which calls for urgent steps being taken for the consumers to be better informed and well advised about the unlimited range of products which they are being lured to buy. Referring to the serious consequences of spurious drugs and adulterated foods, the Governor also spoke about the widespread malpractice of under-weighment of commodities sold to consumers, besides dishonest claims about the life span of products sold to the consumers. He stressed the need for the most effective application of various laws to curb the cheating of customers. He said that to achieve the desired results it is of paramount importance to enlarge the consumer awareness, adding that the most effective mechanisms would need to be adopted for generating awareness among the consumers about their rights, the legal remedies and the various fora which are available for grievance redressed.
The Governor complimented the IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, and IIPA, New Delhi, for joining hands to organize a Workshop on a highly relevant topic and for associating all the stakeholders with this effort. For enlarging consumer awareness and promoting consumer welfare in the State, the Governor suggested to Dr. Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, that, if possible, the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution should be invited to address this Workshop. He also suggested the importance of simply worded write-ups being published about the various aspects of consumer protection, consumer welfare and the grievance redressal mechanisms available, for the benefit of the public at large. Prof. Suresh Misra, Chair Professor, Centre for Consumer Studies, IIPA, New Delhi, presented a memento to the Governor on behalf of IIPA, New Delhi, on this occasion. Introducing the Workshop, Prof. Misra, observed that J&K Branch of IIPA is most active Branch having its own building. Explaining the aims and objects of the Workshop, he said that it is an effort to bring together all the stakeholders and deliberate and evolve strategies to enlarge consumer awareness. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in consumer welfare.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Chairman, IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, gave details of the various working sessions of the Workshop and the topics to be deliberated upon. He said that this Workshop is part of the activity to build capacities for good governance, promote transparency at all levels and ensure hassle free delivery of services. He thanked the Governor for inaugurating the Workshop and taking keen interest in the activities of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch. J. B. S. Johar, Hony Secretary, IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, presented a Vote of Thanks. Among those present on the occasion were functionaries and Members of IIPA, J&K Regional Branch, resource persons, participants of the Workshop, officers of various concerned departments, NGOs, students of The Law School, Jammu University and prominent citizens.