Which of the following is not the function of consumer organizations and NGOs for the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers?

Taking an initiative in filing cases in civil courts in the interest of an individual

The correct answer is option 4- Taking an initiative in filing cases in civil courts in the interest of an individual.

Taking an initiative in filing cases in civil courts in the interest of an individual is not the function of consumer organizations and NGOs for the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers.

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.