Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010351510300.htm

Tamil Nadu

‘Students should work towards building a vigilant society’

Staff Reporter

Students told to educate people about consumer rights

NAMAKKAL: Students should work towards building a vigilant society and fight corruption and unfair trade practices, State Planning Commission Member and Tiruchengode Gandhi Ashram President K. Lakshmikanthan Bharathi has said.

Participating at the national consumer day programme organised jointly by Tamil Nadu Consumer Vigilance Council and Kurinji Educational Institutions here recently, he pointed out the legal protection available for consumers and appealed to the students to educate people in their neighbourhoods about consumer rights.

The increase in the level of awareness among people could help put an end to corruption and unfair practices in the country.

People should be encouraged to approach the consumer disputes redressal forums if they suffered due to unfair trade practices, he stressed.

Mr. Lakshmikanthan Bharathi also advised the students to read the life history of great leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Rajaji.

District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer D. Ravindran said that the district administration had taken up concerted efforts to create awareness among the students about consumer rights.

Consumer clubs were started in 30 schools and 15 colleges in the district so far.

More clubs would be established shortly.

Awareness programmes were also being conducted for the members of self help groups in all the blocks.

Prizes and certificates were distributed to the winners of competitions conducted as a part of the programme.