The Hindu : Kerala News : Lawyers urged to help needy

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Sunday, Mar 16, 2008
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Kerala

Kerala

Lawyers urged to help needy

Special Correspondent

Adalats to be held in all districts to clear consumer cases

Programme to promote consumer awareness
Stern action against consumer rights violations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Consumer Affairs C. Divakaran has urged lawyers to offer free legal assistance to the needy in cases coming up before consumer courts. Delivering the inaugural address at the World Consumer Rights Day celebrations here on Friday, he said the Government had decided to organise Adalats in all districts to clear the large number of consumer rights cases.

“As the State was dependent on imports from neighbouring States for everything from milk and meat to vegetables and pulses, consumer exploitation was high in Kerala. Most of the cases involved quality problems and tampering with weights and measures.

The government has formulated an intensive district- level programme to promote consumer awareness. The district- level Consumer Forum has been revived.”

The Minister stressed the need for a coordinated effort involving government agencies and voluntary organisations to end consumer exploitation. He said the Legal Metrology department was functioning as an independent authority with powers to carry out inspections and unearth irregularities. Officials have been directed to ensure that the raids are not vindictive.

Consumer rights violations will be dealt with firmly. The government will ensure that there is no interference in the crackdown on irregularities. “We have sought the help of the Health department to identify food adulteration,” he said.

V. Sivankutty, MLA, presided over the function. Pannian Ravindran, MP; MLAs V. Surendran Pillai and Mangode Radhakrishnan; X. Anil, Controller, Legal Metrology; R.C. Mathew, Director, Bureau of Indian Standards; and Minhaj Alam, Director, Civil Supplies, were present.

A seminar on consumer rights awareness was organised as part of the event.

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