Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KM/NR)
 
Udupi, Mar 17: District Consumers' Forum and Udupi district Consumer Information Centre jointly  organized a meet on "World Consumers Day" at SDM College of Business Management auditorium in the city on Saturday March 15.
 
Speaking on the occasion M J Salian, president of the DK District Consumer Federation urged, 'Public should come forward to help consumer forums to implement the consumer protection laws effectively.'

Further he pointed out, 'It is not correct to say that the consumer redressal forums are toothless bodies. People's lethargic attitude in approaching the forums is the major impediment in implementing the laws effectively.' 

According to Salian the consumer forums have been given powers on par with the first division judicial magistrates and many formalities have been simplified for the benefit of the consumers. Moreover he said any case should be sorted out within 90 days of its filing with the consumer forum. But the time limit for cases that demand laboratory tests has been fixed at 150 days, he averred.  

MCC in-charge commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde declared in his speech, 'The consumers will be rulers only if they exercise their rights. Otherwise, they will become slaves.'  

Raju Poojary, president of Udupi ZP released two books 'Balakedararondige Bilkul Khasbat' and 'Grahaka Vyajya Parihara Vedike' on the occasion.
 
Prasanna Kumar, CEO of Udupi ZP was the guest on the occasion. Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Udupi ZP member, Shantharam Poojary, trustee of the consumer forum and others were present on the occasion.