Jago Grahak Jago

Making ‘BIS’: Product Certification Scheme for RO Water Purifiers mandatory for the Indian Consumer. Boon or Bane?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (hereinafter referred to as ‘BIS’) through BIS Act, 2016 operates a product certification scheme for standardization of goods that enter the market for sale to consumers. The Government had introduced the product certification scheme to ensure that goods made available to consumers are of a standard quality and safe for being used, as per the prescribed standards/ parameters. These parameters/ standards prescribed by BIS, have to be adhered to prior to the products being made available to consumers.

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Educating the Consumer on identifying Counterfeit Water Purifiers ! What more can Brand Owners and the Consumer do?

According to Indian Daily, the Times of India, the Bengaluru police recently conducted a raid in the upmarket J.P. Nagar area of south Bengaluru in a shop selling counterfeit water purifiers and ancillary parts/ accessories. The raid resulted in the seizure of nineteen (19) kits comprising of parts such as an RO membrane, carbon filter, sediment filter, post carbon filter and UF membrane along with stickers bearing the logo of a prominent water purifier brand, namely KENT. According to the police officials involved in the raid, the fear of unsanitary drinking water among consumers coupled with high demand for replaceable water filters in the market, has contributed a great deal to the rise of counterfeit reverse osmosis (RO) filters which are essential to the proper functioning of a water purifier.

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FDI curbs on ecommerce: From best deal to raw deal

By Prof. Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, Consumer Online Foundation, New Delhi, INDIA. www.jagograhakjago.com It is most unfortunate that Consumer Organisations are always ignored while framing key policy decisions. The case in hand is on e-commerce, as Consumers, the key stakeholders in retail, are never part of any consultations to ensure a robust, inclusive policy framework that protects the consumer’s interests. The sheer array of choices, coupled with better prices and an effortless buying experience offered by ecommerce players have made the Indian consumer feel truly like a king over the past few years. Now, if there was a new policy that would not allow the supermarket to offer choice, accessibility and affordability, then these would naturally deny the rights of the consumer to choice, quality, standards, accessibility, safety and redressal. This is exactly what is happening in India’s ecommerce space, with the central government implementing a new FDI policy that among other challenges, artificially limits the growth of Indian manufacturers and dealers working on e-commerce platforms to provide the consumers quality products in a competitive manner – potentially bringing an end to an era of great competition, choice and accessibility to quality products through best deals for consumers. As I always said, “Competition with a robust regulatory oversight is the best friend of the consumer”. Core concern Even as the Indian ecommerce industry is on course for a five-fold increase from USD 40-bn today to USD 200-bn by 2025, at the core of the big retail success story is the Indian consumer. Equipped with increasing affluence and armed with improving technologies, the Indian consumer’s conscious shifts and changing preferences are the key drivers of the country’s organized retail sector. To have a government policy that now strikes at the very core of the consumer’s choices, one would have expected the government to hold consultations with the consumer as a key stakeholder in the retail chain before framing a major policy that significantly impacts consumer rights. Policy matters On December 26, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) announced broad new restrictions on India’s fast-growing ecommerce sector, a sector that is estimated to contribute a good four per cent to the country’s economy. The government adopted certain new found restrictions, Albeit to protect domestic interests in an overenthusiastic manner,which has discouraged healthy competition. The major global players, who popularized the very concept of ecommerce in India and empowered the consumers in true sense for the first time in India, were taken by surprise and so are the consumers. The restrictions imposed by the new policy will not only downgrade quality and choice for the consumers but will also hurt hundreds of thousands of Indian companies that sell on the ecommerce marketplaces. Over the years, for better inventory management and faster delivery, several of these ecommerce platforms have made huge investments in the interest of customer delight to provide convenience with quality service. If we fail to take appropriate decisions the consumers will again become victims of cartels and unfair trade practices.Is it fair to suddenly change the script on INVEST INDIA, MAKE IN INDIA after the foreign players have invested billions of dollars to improve India’s infrastructure, connect our small businesses to the global marketplace, made our companies more competitive and enabled consumers to access quality products at the most affordable prices. The investments on online marketplaces, in use of technology for good manufacturing & distribution practices, supply chain infrastructure that support them, provide Indian consumers convenient, reliable, and fast access to hundreds of millions of products at competitive prices have gone for a spin at the cost of our resources. With the new policy, competition will be compromised, which eventually will deny the consumer the choices and access to quality products. This protectionist policy while destroying the B2B ecosystem will also pull down the very structure that ensured the best options to the consumer and protected the consumer’s interests from all the dimensions of quality. The way forward DIPP seems to have issued the new policy without understanding the consequences as it had a myopic view based on interventions made by certain business interest, undermining the interest of the consumers and use of technology to assure quality, safety and accessibility. The Government has unfortunately failed to notice the harms it may cause to the country in terms of growth and development triggered by restrictions on India’s online shoppers. Though the government is well-meaning in its intention, hasty implementation of such a policy can have huge negative fallout for all stakeholders, including the consumer. The government should always be a neutral and unbiased policy makers and develop policies based on transparent consultations with all the stakeholders including the Indian Consumer to encourage free and fair trade rather than restrict investment in the ecommerce sector, which will generate employment for our youths and potential human resource, which we have in abundance and consumers who now have higher disposable income to have quality life-style in the most affordable manner based on choice, standards and credible information with prompt redressal mechanism. An immediate measure would be to push forward the date of implementation and take measures to accommodate the constraints and concerns of all stakeholders. Consulting consumer bodies and organisations working to protect consumer’s interests would ensure proper representation of the Indian consumer’s apprehensions and expectations before the government, allowing it to take an informed approach to policy-making. A well-thought, transparent methodology will not only ensure a fair, balanced and robust policy framework for the booming retail sector, but also generate huge confidence among millions of Indian consumers reassured by a responsive government, which the world today recognizes and we are all proud to be part of the NEW INDIA.

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International Forum on Patient Safety And Access to Safe Online Pharmacies

  1-2 March 2017 The International Forum on Patient Safety And Access to Safe Online Pharmacies organised by Consumer Online foundation and Patient Safety and Access Initiative of India foundation along with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Consumer Affairs, Govt. Of India concluded on a promising note. Fruitful positive discussions took place regarding safeguarding consumers from fraudulent practices by some online pharmacies. Verification and certification by the Ministry would be must for online pharmacies to carry on the activities legally. The event was attended by 160+ delegates from India and around the world. The Valedictory address was given by Ms Madhulika P Shukul, Addl.Secretary, Dept.of Consumer Affairs.Govt of India Gallery

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Constitution of Committee to address the issues of Faulty ASR Hip Implants

February: In a letter from the office of the Drug Controller General of India, Founder trustee-Consumer Online Foundation Mr. Bejon Misra gets recognised by Government of India. Attached are the details of a Committee constituted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare vide X.11035/25/2015-DFQC dated 8th February, 2017 to address the issues of Faulty ASR Hip Implants manufactured by M/s DePuy International Ltd., U.K. Consumer Online Foundation is a part of this committee. Committee Details

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FICCI launches self-regulation code of conduct for e-pharmacy sector

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) today announced the launch of Self-regulation Code of Conduct for the E pharmacy sector in the presence of key stakeholders here. Accessibility, affordability and lack of awareness are the major challenges for last mile access to medicines. These barriers could be effectively overcome by adopting technology, specifically the Internet, into the healthcare system. Over the last one year, E-pharmacy has come up as a significant channel to provide last mile access to medicines. This will most importantly benefit patients of chronic diseases, elderly patients and sick patients who are not in a condition to go out to find a pharmacy. The E-Pharmacy model provides tracking and traceability of medicines, addressing the problem of counterfeit medicines, consumption of drugs without prescription, tax loss and provides value added services for consumer empowerment in healthcare, which are well aligned with Digital India initiative of our Prime Minister with a vision to transform the country into a digitally empowered society…read more

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Hunt for the ‘Most Consumer Friendly State’ begins

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal extended their support by hosting the Regional Conference on ‘Criteria for Measuring the Most Consumer Friendly State(s) in India’ organized by the Consumer Online Foundation in New Delhi. The event took place at the Kreta Suraksha Bhawan on Tuesday. Sadhan Pande, Minister In charge of Consumer Affairs, Self-help Group and Self Employment, Government of West Bengal said, “I accepted Mr. Misra’s proposal immediately because this will be an eye-opener when the report is published, it will tell us which state is the most consumers friendly. He lashed out at the Central Government and expressed his worries, “I am surprised that the Government of India is not putting stress on the consumer affairs. Who will listen to the problems of the common man? Where does he go? So the consumer movement will have to come in a big manner.” Pandey also expressed his concern about the Prime Minister’s attitude towards consumer affairs. He said, “The Prime Minister (of India) have spoken to Indian’s abroad but have not looked into this matter, have not attended a single meeting in Delhi with the Consumer Affairs Minister.” He, however, showered praises on his own department and state, “We are doing our best in spite of the financial difficulties, and we had two consumer courts previously, now we have three. We have asked the Central Government to give some statutory power to the grievance court so everyone is served justice (on wealthy people ignoring calls by the grievance courts.)” West Bengal is the only state to have an Independent Ministry for Consumer Affairs and boasts of a Consumer Assistance Bureau, financed by the State Government. In his speech, Satish Chandra Tewary, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal said, “We have our own articulated cartoons apart from the ones by Jaago Grahak Jaago. They are drawn by Chandi Lahiri and we would be increasing them in order to inform and educate all the consumers.” A Subbiah, Secretary to the State, Government of West Bengal claimed, “We are a strong contender if not the only one for the prize.” He added, “We have sensitized or offices and officials by providing them with proper training. The Number of cases has increased in the last three years and we need the Central Government’s help to carry on with the movement.” Surinder Singh, Director In-Charge, National Institute of Biologicals, Government of India mentioned, “The very objective of quality healthcare is to look after the patient’s safety. Communication is the most important factor.” P C Jha, Vice Chairperson, Consumer Online Foundation, New Delhi said, “A wide gap exists between what should be done and what have been done so far.” Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, COF and the man in charge of this mission said “We are doing this project to bring out the truth to the forefront.” The winner of this prize will be announced on March 2016. Delegates from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha along with other dignitaries both from this state and its neighbors also attended this meeting.  source http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-51435.html

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Who governs ‘surrogate ads’ for alcohol?

New Delhi, May 13: Mineral water, sodas, music and sports franchises are among the common avenues taken by alcohol manufacturers to advertise their brands. So what is new in this? Nothing. But what is befuddling those in power as well as the moral police is how ‘surrogate advertising’ can be monitored in the absence of overarching legislation. At the Centre, the buck is passed on between ministries and sometimes to respective States. This is even as consumer activists urging the Government to frame a central legislation, even if effective implementation will rest with the State Governments. In fact, the self-regulating Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) already has a code on brand extension. “Surrogate advertising is not allowed as per law but we have been urging the Government to start taking legal action against liquor brands that violate these providers and are habitual offenders,” said Bejon Misra, Founder, Consumer Online Foundation. Regulation of such advertising appeared to fall under the jurisdiction of at least five Ministries – Consumer Affairs, Health, Information & Broadcasting (I&B), IT and Social Justice and Empowerment. “There are ambiguous court rulings on the matter where alcohol manufacturers state that the logo is the identity of the brand and using it on products other than alcohol is a legitimate business activity. So it’s mainly down to legal interpretation and in time will need to be settled by courts to establish a stated position,” a senior Government official told BusinessLine. He added any concerted effort to clamp down on the practice would have to be led by the Health Ministry, which took the lead in curbing cigarette/tobacco advertising. Another official pointed out that Section 2(r) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 outlined ‘unfair trade practices’ for sales maximisation of a good or service and provided legal recourse for consumers if suppliers were found to have engaged in misleading advertisements. “Though it does not explicitly mention surrogate advertising, sellers could be prosecuted depending on how a case is presented. That said, if mineral water advertised by an alcohol company meets requisite standards, it’s a murky area,” he said, adding new legislation might not serve any purpose and could lead to inter-sectoral conflicts. Direct advertising of alcoholic beverages is banned in India but private channels have often permitted surrogate advertising. “We need to have a comprehensive Central Law that regulates various aspects of alcohol consumption and promotion,” said Monika Arora, Health Promotion & Associate Professor, Public Health Foundation of India. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/who-governs-surrogate-ads-for-alcohol/article7202285.ece

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Measuring the Most Consumer-Friendly State in India

INTRODUCTION: We are pleased to inform you that on 10th March 2015 as per our scheduled activity, we launched the project to understand the various matrix to be adopted to measure the Consumer Friendly Index of the States in India at Chennai. The all stakeholder consultation was inaugurated by Mr. T. S. Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India in the presence of Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman of Partnership for Safe Medicines India and Former Chief Information Commissioner of India, Dr. V. Prakash, Distinguished Scientist of CSIR India, Dr. Surinder Singh, Director Incharge, National Institute of Biologicals and Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, Commissioner Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection. We had more than 100 participants representing leading consumer organisations from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana including industry associations and Government officials. [fruitful_tabs type=”default” width=”100%” fit=”false”] [fruitful_tab title=”Chennai”] Measuring the Most Consumer-Friendly State in India We are pleased to inform you that on 10th March 2015 as per our scheduled activity, we launched the project to understand the various matrix to be adopted to measure the Consumer Friendly Index of the States in India at Chennai. The all stakeholder consultation was inaugurated by Mr. T. S. Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India in the presence of Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Chairman of Partnership for Safe Medicines India and Former Chief Information Commissioner of India, Dr. V. Prakash, Distinguished Scientist of CSIR India, Dr. Surinder Singh, Director Incharge, National Institute of Biologicals and Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan, IAS, Commissioner Government of Tamil Nadu, Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection. We had more than 100 participants representing leading consumer organisations from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telengana including industry associations and Government officials. Agenda>>> Concept Note>>> Chennai Report>>> Event Pictures>>> [/fruitful_tab] [fruitful_tab title=”Kolkata”] Hunt for the ‘Most Consumer Friendly State’ begins The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal extended their support by hosting the Regional Conference on ‘Criteria for Measuring the Most Consumer Friendly State(s) in India’ organized by the Consumer Online Foundation in New Delhi. The event took place at the Kreta Suraksha Bhawan on Tuesday. Sadhan Pande, Minister In charge of Consumer Affairs, Self-help Group and Self Employment, Government of West Bengal said, “I accepted Mr. Misra’s proposal immediately because this will be an eye-opener when the report is published, it will tell us which state is the most consumers friendly. He lashed out at the Central Government and expressed his worries, “I am surprised that the Government of India is not putting stress on the consumer affairs. Who will listen to the problems of the common man? Where does he go? So the consumer movement will have to come in a big manner.” Pandey also expressed his concern about the Prime Minister’s attitude towards consumer affairs. He said, “The Prime Minister (of India) have spoken to Indian’s abroad but have not looked into this matter, have not attended a single meeting in Delhi with the Consumer Affairs Minister.” He, however, showered praises on his own department and state, “We are doing our best in spite of the financial difficulties, and we had two consumer courts previously, now we have three. We have asked the Central Government to give some statutory power to the grievance court so everyone is served justice (on wealthy people ignoring calls by the grievance courts.)” West Bengal is the only state to have an Independent Ministry for Consumer Affairs and boasts of a Consumer Assistance Bureau, financed by the State Government. In his speech, Satish Chandra Tewary, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal said, “We have our own articulated cartoons apart from the ones by Jaago Grahak Jaago. They are drawn by Chandi Lahiri and we would be increasing them in order to inform and educate all the consumers.” A Subbiah, Secretary to the State, Government of West Bengal claimed, “We are a strong contender if not the only one for the prize.” He added, “We have sensitized or offices and officials by providing them with proper training. The Number of cases has increased in the last three years and we need the Central Government’s help to carry on with the movement.” Surinder Singh, Director In-Charge, National Institute of Biologicals, Government of India mentioned, “The very objective of quality healthcare is to look after the patient’s safety. Communication is the most important factor.” P C Jha, Vice Chairperson, Consumer Online Foundation, New Delhi said, “A wide gap exists between what should be done and what have been done so far.” Bejon Kumar Misra, Founder, COF and the man in charge of this mission said “We are doing this project to bring out the truth to the forefront.” The winner of this prize will be announced on March 2016. Delegates from Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha along with other dignitaries both from this state and its neighbors also attended this meeting.   Source: New Kerela [/fruitful_tab] [/fruitful_tabs]

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