Grassroots Reachout & Networking in Rajasthan through Consumer Action

(GRANIRCA)

Public Event

World Consumer Rights Day 2013

Theme ‘Consumer Justice Now’ March 18, 2013, Jaipur, India

CUTS Centre for Consumer Action, Research & Training (CUTS CART)

D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302015, Rajasthan

Ph: 91-141-533259, 2282821 Fax: 91-141-4015395

Email: cart@cuts.org Web: www.cuts-international.org/cart

CUTS CART

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1. Background

‘World Consumer Rights Day’ (WCRD) is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity

within the international consumer movement. The theme for 2013 WCRD is ‘Consumer Justice

Now!’. This theme was also chosen to coincide with the update of the UN Guidelines on

Consumer Protection (UNGCP) first adopted in 1985. Last year, the United Nations Conference

on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) announced that the UNGCP will be revised and the

process will get over by 2014, making 2013 the key year to influence the process. In addition,

WCRD 2013 was an important opportunity for consumer organisations to draw the world's

attention to the crucial role that consumer protection plays in making societies safer and fairer,

and how important it is that 21st century consumers receive 21st century protection.

It was an appropriate occasion to expose the real damage caused by poor or non-existent

consumer protection around the world. Whether it is faulty products causing injury, utility

service a provider ignoring complaints or irresponsible lending by banks, better consumer

protection is always part of the solution.

2. Public Event

CUTS organised a public event on the occasion of WCRD with the theme ‘Consumer Justice

Now!’ at Jaipur on March 18, 2013 under the project entitled, ‘Grassroots Reachout &

Networking in Rajasthan through Consumer Action (GRANIRCA) in partnership with the

Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

3. Objectives

The main objective of this event was to join hands with consumers around the world to demand

implementation of simple, quick and inexpensive mechanism in consumer protection and to

show solidarity within the international consumer movement. Other objective was to honour few

consumer activists and networkers for their outstanding contribution in the field of consumer

protection in the state.

4. Key Speakers

The event was enlightened by Lalit Mehra, IAS, Principal Secretary, Deperment of Consumer

Affairs, Government of Rajasthan; Ruth Anna Buettner, Programme Director, Consumer

Policy & Protection GIZ, New Delhi; Amrit Lal Saha, Chairperson, Consumer Coordination

Council (CCC) of India; Poonam Pandey, Technical Expert, GIZ, New Delhi; S. Saroja,

Consumer Awareness Group, Chennai; Rajendra Prasad Bora, Senior Journalist, Jaipur;

George Cheriyan, Director, CUTS; Keya Ghosh, Director, CUTS, Kolkata.

5. Participants

More than 80 representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), consumer activists covering almost all 33 districts of Rajasthan, local Jaipur-based CSOs, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of Rajasthan, GIZ, print and

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electronic media, academics, judiciary etc. attended the event. Please refer Annexure A for list of participants.

6. Proceedings (Agenda annexed below)

6.1 Welcome Remark

The event was commenced with welcome remark by Deepak Saxena, Senior Programme

Coordinator, CUTS. He welcomed the gathering and informed about the agenda of the event.

He said that the theme given by Consumers International (CI) is ‘Consumer Justice Now’ chosen

to coincide with the update of the UNGCP first adopted in 1985. He welcomed dignitaries and

flower bouquet was presented to each of them.

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6.2 Opening Remarks

Opening remarks were delivered by George Cheriyan, Director, CUTS. He explained the

relevance of the WCRD. March 15 is the day on which the historical speech was made by John

F. Kennedy to the American Congress in 1962 where he upheld four basic rights of consumers.

From the year 1983 onwards, WCRD is observed on March 15 to highlight the plight and status

of consumers, to generate the awareness among masses; and this year is the 30th anniversary of

WCRD. He provided a brief overview of other activities organised by CUTS on March 15, 2013,

such as street-plays at four places and awareness event at ‘Rani Senior Secondary School’ in

Jaipur to mark WCRD.

Speaking on the theme, he said consumer justice means, just behaviour or treatment to

consumers or in other words justice is the quality of being fair/reasonable. However, several

products which are hazardous to health are sold in the market. Unfair trade practices, corporate

wrong-doing, medical negligence, irresponsible lending by banks, mis-selling of financial

products etc. are some of the main problems faced across the world. He quoted the statement of

Minister for Corporate Affairs that says in India still 22000 non-banking financial companies are

not registered in corporate affairs and Reserve Bank of India and involved in cheating and fraud.

He further said that it should be ‘Consumer Justice Right Now’ because there is urgency in

getting justice to consumers.

He referred to the findings of a survey that was conducted by CI to ascertain the global overview

on the state of consumer protection. He informed that 78 per cent surveyed countries are having

consumer protection law, only 52 per cent countries have national policy, but only 17 per cent

countries are having strategic plan and mechanism to implement consumer protection law.

Further, he stated that shocking findings emerged out of a National Survey conducted by CUTS

– only 20 per cent people are aware of or have heard about the Consumer Protection Act

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(COPRA), 1986; a little more than 40 per cent respondents are aware of consumer rights; and in

spite of having three-tier quasi-judicial mechanism 67 per cent cases are going beyond the

stipulated time. Regarding the Rajasthan state, he revealed that only 11 per cent people are aware

of COPRA and 16 per cent are aware of consumer rights. Rajasthan ranks 18th in terms of

awareness on consumer rights among various states in the country.

He mentioned that one of the achievements of GRANIRCA project is that district consumer

protection councils are constituted in all 33 districts of Rajasthan as a result of advocacy. Also,

he acknowledged the initiatives by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of

Rajasthan, such as Sudh ke Liye Yuddh, State Consumer Helpline, etc. But he also expressed

concern of not having Consumer Policy at the national level and non-constitution of State

Consumer Protection Council in Rajasthan for last several years.

While concluding, he urged Principal Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs to take

initiative for constituting State Consumer Protection Council in Rajasthan and said there is need

to have collective action and massive campaign to generate awareness. ‘We have the responsibility to

bring justice to consumers and improve the plight of consumer protection status in India’, he concluded.

6.3 Inaugural Address by Chief Guest

Lalit Mehra, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of

Rajasthan expressed his concern on the plight of awareness status of consumers. He said that it

is true that awareness level is low in Rajasthan but even though numbers of cases are increasing

in the consumer forum day-by-day. Further he explained briefly about three-tier consumer

dispute redressal mechanism. He stated that culture behaviour with service provider is also

affecting the access to Right to Redress. He said that marketing strategies are always influencing

consumers but they need to understand their needs and look at quantity, quality and rate.

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He emphasised on next steps to be taken and said this is the time to look at the loopholes in the

system and take corrective actions to makeover. While underlining the importance of consumer

awareness he stressed on the urgent need of massive campaign on consumer awareness in

Rajasthan to protect consumer rights. Rajasthan has to go a long way, speed-up dissemination of

messages and generate awareness. He ensured that necessary steps will be taken and seek help of

CSOs, he concluded.

6.4 Release of the Advocacy Document and Stickers

After the inaugural address, advocacy document on Consumer Protection in Rajasthan consisting

key advocacy messages was disseminated to concerned policymakers and five stickers depicting

various consumer issues were released Lalit Mehra, Ruth Anna Buettner, Amrit Lal Saha,

Rajendra Prasad Bora and George Cheriyan.

Releasing Advocacy Document on Consumer Protection in Rajasthan

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Releasing Stickers on Consumer Issues

6.5 Presentation of Mementos and Certificates /Award Ceremony

Mementos and certificates were presented to each district partner, GRANIRCA project for their

outstanding contribution in consumer protection in their respective districts and successful

completion of three-year project. Gangadhar Solanki, Anwar Ahmed Khan and Rakesh Kumar

Parmar were given award for best consumer activism, event and media manager and proactive

partner & consumer activist respectively. Being the partner of ConsumersUp project, a memento

was presented to Consumer Protection Association, Agartala, which was received by Amrit Lal

Saha. Lalit Mehra distributed awards.

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Presentation of Memento and Certificate

to district partner, GRANIRCA Presentation of Memento to Best

Consumer Activist

Partner, ConsumersUp, Amrit Lal Saha receiving memento from Lalit Mehra

6.6 Special Address by Ruth Anna Buettner

Ruth Anna Buettner, Programme Director, Consumer Policy & Protection GIZ, New Delhi

thanked CUTS for inviting her to the event and mentioned about previous fruitful collaborations

with CUTS. She briefly informed about GIZ, a Germany-based organisation, its activities

towards consumer policy and protection and e-commerce. She informed that this organisation

carries out a wide range of activities in India since last several years. She stated that consumers

are living in a digital dark room and there are issues related to data protection, online banking,

etc.

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While sharing her personal experience in India, she stated she received many unwanted calls on

her mobile and raised issue of data protection of consumers. She stressed on the need of data in

the digital age of communication and e-commerce. She underlined the role of UNGCP in

WCRD.

6.7 Keynote Address by Guest of Honour

Amrit Lal Saha, Chairperson, Consumer Coordination Council (CCC) of India thanked CUTS

for inviting him to the event. He acknowledged the efforts of CUTS towards consumer

protection at various levels – from grassroots, state and national to international level. He stated

that CCC has made a slogan ‘Alert Consumer, Safe Consumer’. Speaking on Right to Redress

and on the theme Justice Now, he informed that in Agartala, Tripura a formal notice has been

issued to district and block-level officials, such as District Supply Officer, Collector, Block

Development Officer and others to entertain or redress grievances of consumers. He also urged

Rajasthan government to replicate this model so that grievances can be redressed within the

stipulated time which will also reduce workload at forums.

During his presentation he briefed about the operation area of CCC and its activities and raised

issues related to lack of products in public distribution system (PDS), not weighing LPG

cylinders, telecom services, poor quality of healthcare services, genetically-modified food, e-

commerce, misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices, non-banking financial

companies in the market, etc.

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While questioning about good governance, he said that there is lack of accountability,

responsibility, transparency and no time bound delivery of services in government offices. He

put his suggestions that consumer organisations need to work each district; consumer forums

should be in open; need to do networking with print and electronic media, need to focus on

consumer education, more surveys and documentation is required in this field.

Regarding GRANIRCA and ConsumersUp project, he wished that such kind of experiences

should be used in future projects, Central and state governments should awared such projects to

consumer organisations, such as CUTS to build capacity of other micro-level consumer

organisations. He informed that CCC is lobbying to bring Right to Service Act in Tripura as

Public Service Guarantee Act in Rajasthan.

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6.8 Panel Discussion on the Theme ‘Consumer Justice Now’

The panel was chaired by Rajendra Prasad Bora, Senior Journalist. Poonam Pandey, Technical

Expert, GIZ, New Delhi; S Saroja, Consumer Awareness Group, Chennai; Keya Ghosh,

Director, CUTS, Kolkata were panellists.

After address by the chair, a story telling session was conducted where four district partners

shared following successful case studies in which consumer got justice.

Rakesh Kumar Parmar, partner from

Dholpur shared that LIC, Bharatpur

refused to give the accident claim

amount of Rs 50,000 to a widow,

Kiran (a resident of Dholpur) when

her husband met with an accident and

died. LIC gave only normal benefit

amount and refused the amount of

accidental claim. Kiran requested the

agent to get the amount of Rs 50,000

as an accidental claim, but nothing

happened. She came to know about the consumer organisation, Samajik Vikas Samiti and shared

all details, and then on behalf of consumer, Samajik Vikas Samiti filled a complaint to LIC, but

did not receive any response. Then Samajik Vikas Samiti filed a complaint to District Consumer

Forum at Dholpur and informed LIC, Bharatpur. After receiving the information, LIC gave the

cheque of Rs 50,000 before any order from the Consumer Forum.

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Gangadhar Solanki, Consumer Activist

from Chittorgarh shared that during 2010-

February 2013 he had received total 143

complaints in written and provided

suggestions to 250 cheated consumers. He

also shared two case stories where

consumer grievances were redressed.

Suman Saxena, partner from Bundi

shared that son of Ramlal Gujar, a

resident of Devpura village was

admitted at Subhash Hospital after he

was bitten by a snake where he died.

Ramlal made a claim from the

insurance company, but they denied.

Then he came to Richmonds’ Kala Sahitya

and Shikshan Society, and a complaint

was registered at the District Forum.

Insurance company said in opposition

that without post-mortem they cannot give the amount. The District Forum ordered that there is

no need to do post-mortem after bitten by a snake and ordered the insurance company to give

Rs 1,00,000 and also compensation for mental harassment. If the company do not pay on time

then it has to pay 8 per cent interest rate on the whole amount. This judgement was given within

the stipulated time.

Anwar Ahmed Khan, partner from

Kota shared one case happened

with Mehrunisha a resident of

Rajeev Colony, Gumanpura, Kota

who attended every activity of

GRANIRCA. In year 2011 she gave

contract to Mohd. Haarun

(contractor) for Kota Stone of Rs

25,000 including material, fixing

charges, labour charges etc. Mohd.

Haarun was paid Rs 25,000. After

five days few Kota stones got

cracked automatically. Mohd. Haarun was informed immediately, he said that it does happen, he

was not faulty and he will charge extra for another material and labour to replace the cracked

Kota stone. Mehrunisha informed him about consumer rights and mentioned that if she files a

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complaint before the District Consumer Forum, then he has to give the whole amount Rs 25,000

and the compensation amount too. Contractor became afraid and replaced cracked Kota stones

without any extra charges.

After listening to all successful case stories, Ghosh applauded the confidence level of district

partners and activists. She stated that information and knowledge is power, awareness is the first

step to bring the justice. She also shared her experience on electricity sector in West Bengal that

how companies are giving defective electricity meters in villages that give high reading and which

leads to more amount in bill. She also informed that how consumers got empowered through

various projects.

She quoted one complaint on broadband connection registered at the District Forum against

high amount in bill and violation of Right to Information. The complaint was registered in the

year 2006 and evidence papers were provided. The judgement was delayed till May 2012 due to

non-appearance of opposite party and adjournments. When they got judgements that says this

case cannot be taken in the court.

In the end, she showed a food packet on which no information was provided about food

contents and other related information. She suggested that there is need to address such issues;

there should be no adjournment in consumer forum and reform is required in judiciary.

Panellist S. Saroja from Consumer Awareness Group (CAG), Chennai agreed with Ghosh and

said those kinds of delays in justice is due to appointment of retired civil court judges at

consumer forums. While emphasising on food labelling regulations, she mentioned that most of

the private companies are violating laws.

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She shared that filling complaint is not easy in Tamil Nadu, consumer need to write complaint

only on green sheets and complete many other formalities. She informed about a network

formed under one project which is being implemented by CAG. Experts from different sectors

formed a network and collectively represent consumers. In the end, she stated that need of today

is to raise collective voice to bring justice.

Third panellist Poonam Pandey, Technical Expert, GIZ, New Delhi emphasised on solutions of

raised issues, until and unless consumers are not aware they cannot fight for their rights. There is

need to build the capacity of officials at consumer forum, pressurise government at policy-level.

She raised the issue of not registering complaints in different regional languages in National

Consumer Helpline. She cited examples of a project by GIZ through which consumer advice

centres (CACs) were opened in five states. In CACs trained advisers provide advice and manage

the knowledge database. She urged all consumer organisations to mobilise consumers, bring

them in a group since pressure group works in democracy. Hence, there is need for collective

action.

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6.9 Summing up & Vote of Thanks

The event was concluded by summarising the proceedings of the day by Amarjeet Singh, Project

Coordinator, CUTS. He said that consumers should not be burdened and the system should

work properly to protect consumers even if they are not aware of their rights. On behalf of

CUTS he expressed his gratitude to all dignitaries for their valuable insights and thanked

participants for their active presence.

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Annexure A

List of Participants

S.No.

Name Name & Address of the Organiation

Mob./Ph. And Email

1 Gangadhar Solanki

Akhil Rajasthan Upbhokta Sangathan Mahasangh, Chittorgarh

9352909781

2 Pempa Ram Barupal

Vasundhra Seva Samiti, VP- Kalyanpur, Tehsil- Pachpadra, Distt.- Barmer

9672499564

3 Prem Singh Mali Jyotiba Phule Shiksha Sanchalan Samiti, Karauli

9414486601 jpsss2000@yahoo.com

4 Narain Lal Sen Kalpana Kalyan Society, VP- Ghana, Ratanpur Road, Dungarpur

9783421447 kalsociety@g.com

5 Murali Lal Sharma

Vardhman Colony, VP- Ahore, Distt.- Jalore

9829790015

6 A.K. Thalia CUTS CART, Jaipur 5133259

7 Badri Narain Sharma

CUTS CART, Jaipur 5133259

8 Kamlesh Bohra K.B. Memorial Society, Dausa 9414271208

9 Mahesh Balheri Dausa 9462610401

10 Shanti Devi Nama

M.M.M. Shikshan evam Janseva Sansthan, Tonk

8432258401

11 Surendra Kumar Sharma

Mansi Jan Kalyan Seva Sansthan, Sri Ganganagar

9784592739

12 Manu Sharma Sukshma Vikas Sansthan, Jaipur 9829091601

13 Rakesh Kumar Parmar

Samajik Vikas Samiti, Attarsuma, Dholpur

9784016839 svsdholpur@gmail.com

14 Sanjay Katara Rajasthan Luv Kush Sangit Kala Kendra, Kumher, Bharatpur

9414361196

15 Sarita Sharma Shri Ram Manohar Lohia Hr. Sec. School, Hanumangarh

9414094515

16 Gajendra Singh Charan

Shri Chalrai Shiksha Samiti, Patoda, Sikar

9414773704 shreechalrai@yahoo.com

17 Suman Pareek Jay Ambey Vikas Samiti, Suratgarh 9413715551

18 Rajiv Saxena Richmonds' Kala Sahitya & Shikshan Society, Bundi

9461332814 rajivsaxena@yahoo.com

19 Suman Sharma Richmonds' Kala Sahitya & Shikshan Society, Bundi

9887210251 smnrjv32@ymail.com

20 Ramesh Bohra Upbhokta Ekta evam Sanrakshan Samiti, SB- 116, Mangal Marg, Tonk Road, Jaipur

9352585320

21 Dharmendra Singh

Upbhokta Ekta evam Sanrakshan Samiti, SB- 116, Mangal Marg, Tonk Road, Jaipur

9314077738

22 A.R. Sharma Awreness Training and Motivation for Action (ATMA) Vil. Jagmalpura, Via- Jobner, Jaipur

9413063961 atmago11@gmail.com

23 Anek Singh Samajik Vikas Samiti, Attarsuma, Dholpur

8769308962

24 A.L. Saha Chairman, CCC, India, Agartalla 9862216817 amrit1950@gmail.com

25 Sangeeta Singh School Teacher, Jaipur 9829278000

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S.No.

Name Name & Address of the Organiation

Mob./Ph. And Email

26 Mahendra Ojha Sankalp Sanstha, VP- Ahore, Jalore 9414534197

27 Suman Bhatnagar

Madhukar Adarsh Vidya Mandir Samiti, Kotputali

9828048928

28 Suwa Lal Prajapat

Chandra Public School, Jaipur 9252536055

29 Deva Ram NIDAN Sansthan, Jodhpur 7597481785

30 Pradeep Punia Manav Pragati Sansthan, Churu 9414665855

31 Jitendra Sharma Manav Kalyan Vidyapeeth Sansthan, Pratap Nagar, Jaipur

9667340512

32 Anwar Ahmed Khan

Oxford Shikshan Prashikshan evam Vikas Sansthan, Hiran Bazar, Kota

9351499789 anwar.kotass@gmail.com

33 Shabnam Khan Oxford Shikshan Prashikshan evam Vikas Sansthan, Hiran Bazar, Kota

7568006229

34 N.K. Choubisa Hind Seva Sansthan, C- 5, Hava Magari, Udaipur

9413026831 nk-choubisa@yahoo.com

35 Nazma Quraisi New Dream Education Society, Gangapole, Jaipur

9829134907

36 Bhanwar Lal Choudhary

Gramin Vikas Sansthan, Loonva, Nagaur

9799517721

37 Alok Sharma ETV, Jaipur 9829452521 aloksharma.jaipur@gmail.com

38 Hari Prasad Yogi

Consumer Legal Help Society, Sawai Madhopur

39 Om Prakash Rajoria

DCF- 1, Member 9414820292 opricic@gmail.com

40 Gaurav Saini Mahila evam Bal Uthan Samiti, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur

9413677440

41 Sanwar Khalwa Aman Alap Sansthan, 137, Krishna Colony, Naya Khera, Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jaipur

9166629471 smartsanwar@yahoo.co.in

42 Asha Patel Garibon ka Setu, Jaipur 9829066592 ashasetu@gail.com

43 Rakesh Suman Garibon ka Setu, Jaipur 9928147731

44 Dr. K.M. Sharma

Pali Zila Jan Chetna Samiti, Pali 9214152353

45 Dr. Mahipal Meel

SRKPS, 1/129, Housing Board, Jhunjhunu

9413546140

46 Avdhesh Malot Vagad Vikas Sansthan, Rati Talai, Banswara

9784419987

47 Amarjeet Singh CUTS CART, Jaipur 9829015812

48 Abhimanyu Singh

CUTS CART, Jaipur 8107794315

49 Jai Shree Soni CUTS CART, Jaipur 8559926355 jss@cuts.org

50 Madan Giri Goswami

CUTS CHD, Chittorgarh 9829285938 mgg@cuts.org

51 Mukut Bihari Gurjar

Samajik Vikas Sansthan, Jhalawar 9799093077

52 Mukesh Sikhwal Jila Upbhokta Jagran Samiti, Sikar 9928106319

53 Narendra Sikhwal

Jila Upbhokta Jagran Samiti, Sikar 9828774460

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S.No.

Name Name & Address of the Organiation

Mob./Ph. And Email

54 S. Saroja CAG, 9/5, II Street, Paomaualda Nagar, Adyar, Chennai- 20

9884699332, 24460387 helpdesk@cag.org.in ; saroja@cag.org.in

55 Amit Soloman SPARSH, H.No. 1158, Mission Compound, Nasirabad, Ajmer

9414379407 sparsh.ngo@gmail.com

56 V. Jaydev Week, M.I. Road, Jaipur 9413348775

57 Sharda Agarwal Sharda Manohar Jila Jhalawar Mahila Vikas Samiti, Jhalawar

9414194474

58 Akshay Ojha Nirala Rajasthan, Jaipur 7737238696 akshay.ojha@yahoo.com

59 Mohit Gupta Sharda Manohar Jila Jhalawar Mahila Vikas Samiti, Jhalawar

9414194474

60 Ram Avtar Methi

Jeevan Asha Samajik Seva Sansthan, Jhotwara, Jaipur

9314655640

61 Vijay Mohan DD News, Jaipur 9610206873

62 Sourabh Sharma DD News, Jaipur 9887051794

63 P. Lal DD News, Jaipur 2711482

64 Rajendra Bora Journalist 9829051075

65 Manju Rai Centre for Social Development, Jaipur 9414769917 csdindia@yahoo.co.in

66 Dr. Poonam Pande

GIZ, Delhi 9871766826 poonam.pandey@giz.de

67 Dr. Keya Ghosh CUTS CRC, Kolkata 9831219339 kg@cuts.org

68 Ruth Anna Buettner

GIZ, Germany 9953559207 ruth.buettner@giz.de

69 Ravi Gupta Parishkar Sansthan, Jaipur 9214424231

70 Namrata Saxena WORLD Org., Jaipur 9829065406 worldin@yahoomail.com

71 Asha Bairwa Society for Social Development and Rights, Jaipur

8829062307

72 Tejveer Choudhary

NIDAN Sansthan, Jodhpur 9413249745

73 Anita Sharma Guru Kripa Lok Seva Sansthan, Jaipur 9785438194

74 Kishan Snehi Shubham Mahila Prashikshan Sansthan, Alwar

9928459181

75 Sushila Devi Shubham Mahila Prashikshan Sansthan, Alwar

8890991173

76 Rajni Kumwat B- 6, Shilp Colony, Jhotwara, Jaipur 9680065076

77 Chhoti Lal Kumawat

Shriram Nagar, Jhotwara, Jaipur 9351335451

78 Bhanwar Lal Ratiwal

Jhotwara, Jaipur 9829822247

79 Dr. Lalit Mehra DoCA, Govt. of Rajasthan 9414055534

80 George Cheriyan

CUTS, Jaipur 9829285930 gc@cuts.org

81 Deepak Saxena CUTS CART, Jaipur 9799996095 ds@cuts.org

82 Dharmendra Chaturvedi

CUTS CART, Jaipur 9414202868 dc@cuts.org

83 Arjun Kant Jha CUTS CART, Jaipur 9887174459 akj@cuts.org

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Annexure B

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

9.30 AM onwards

Registration

10.30 am Tea

Inaugural Session

11.00-11.10 Welcome Deepak Saxena, Senior Programme Coordinator,

CUTS

11.10–11.25 Opening Remarks George Cheriyan , Director, CUTS

11.25-11.40 Inaugural Address by

Chief Guest

Lalit Mehra, IAS

Principal Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs,

Food, and Civil Supplies, Government of Rajasthan

11.40-11.45 Release of Advocacy

Document and Stickers

Dignitaries

11.45-11.55 Presentation of

Mementos and

Certificates

District Partners of GRANIRCA, State Partner of

ConsumersUp and selected consumer activists

11.55-12.05 Special Address

Ruth Anna Buettner, Programme Director, Consumer

Policy & Protection GIZ, New Delhi

12.05-12.15 Keynote Address by

Guest of Honour

Amrit Lal Saha, Chairperson, Consumer Coordination

Council of India

12.15-12.20 Break

Panel Discussion Theme: Consumer Justice Now

12.20-12.30 Address by the Chair Rajendra Prasad Bora, Senior Journalist, Jaipur

12.30-12.50 Story Telling Four Selected persons (5 minutes each)

12.50-13.00 Panelists Poonam Pandey, Technical Expert, GIZ, New Delhi

13.00-13.10 S Saroja, Consumer Awareness Group, Chennai

13.10-13.20 Keya Ghosh, Director, CUTS, Kolkata

13.20-13.30 Summing up & Vote of

Thanks

Amarjeet Singh, Project Coordinator, CUTS

13.30 Lunch

20

Annexure C

Media Coverage