Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati

Consumer law a must: Judge

Special Correspondent

Lack of awareness making consumer protection ineffective

TIRUPATI: Justice I. Venkatanarayana, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Consumer Circuite Bench has said that though the country had a sound Consumer Protection Act, the lack of adequate consumer jurisprudence and awareness, especially among the womenfolk about the various protective regimes, was making the consumer movement ineffective. He was addressing a meeting after formally inaugurating the consumer Circuite Bench at Tirupati covering the four Rayalaseema plus Nellore districts.

Growing exploitation

Expressing concern over the growing exploitation of consumers by the traders, he said that there was no way out unless the consumers asserted their rights by insisting on bills/receipts, looking for the expiry dates and so on. Justice Venkatanarayana said that as part of the programme to create consumer awareness steps were afoot to start consumer clubs in the Government-recognised middle schools, high schools and higher secondary schools.

Forum members from the five districts participated in the meeting.

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