Which of the following is NOT true regarding role of NGOs (Non Government Organizations) in consumer protection?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is option (3)- Asking consumers to avoid legal hassles.
The statement "Asking consumer to avoid legal hassles" is NOT true regarding the role of NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) in consumer protection. NGOs typically do not ask consumers to avoid legal hassles; instead, they often provide guidance and support to consumers when dealing with legal issues related to consumer rights violations.
In India, several consumer organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been set up for the protection and promotion of consumers’ interests. Non-governmental organisations are non-profit organisations which aim at promoting the welfare of people. They have a constitution of their own and are free from government interference. Consumer organisations and NGOs perform several functions for the protection and promotion of interest of consumers. These include:
- (i) Educating the general public about consumer rights by organising training programmes, seminars and workshops.
- (ii) Publishing periodicals and other publications to impart knowledge about consumer problems, legal reporting, reliefs available and other matters of interest.
- (iii) Carrying out comparative testing of consumer products in accredited laboratories to test relative qualities of competing brands and publishing the test results for the benefit of consumers.
- (iv) Encouraging consumers to strongly protest and take an action against unscrupulous, exploitative and unfair trade practices of sellers.
- (v) Providing legal assistance to consumers by way of providing aid, legal advice etc. in seeking legal remedy.
- (vi) Filing complaints in appropriate consumer courts on behalf of the consumers.
- (vii) Taking an initiative in filing cases in consumer courts in the interest of the general public, not for any individual.
- (viii) Consumer unity and Trust Society (CuTS), Jaipur.