MGP’s Consumer Protection Wing
has been very much in the news for all the exemplary
work done for the benefit of consumers. It has several
campaigns to its credit.
This study proved false
the railway contention that the suburban railway
system was running into loss.
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Tatas
were charging consumers heavy fuel adjustment charges
over and above the basic electricity
charge, without government permission and
without advance notice to consumers.
After an in-depth study, the findings were
presented to the Kasbekar Committee appointed by Maharashtra
Government.
In 1986, MGP even went to court. |
In
regular supply of LPG and its frequent shortages were
not only a hassle but consumers were often asked to
pick up cylinders from dealers. This posed a hazard to life and property.
Along with other consumer organisations, MGP
made a representation to the Minister of Food &
Civil Supplies.
In a joint meeting with oil company representatives,
distributors and consumers, it was decided to abandon
the ‘Cash and Carry’ system. |
Maharashtra Government was found using Irish butter
contaminated by Chernobyl Disaster in its Aarey
!
Worli Dairy - MGP activists gave
a number of press interviews, wrote articles, put
up posters cautioning consumers, organised seminars
and succeeded
in mobilizing public opinion.
Ultimately the government had to announce
on the floor of the legislative the discontinuance
of the use of this butter.
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time to time, MGP has launched
effective agitations against unjustified
price rise in the case of milk, bread, sugar
and oil. When B.E.S.T. increased its fares due to the Gulf War, a strong
protest by MGP made BEST reduce this second rise. |
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MGP’s
complaint to MRTP Commission forced all soft drink
manufacturers to abondon use of BVO COMPULSORY
MAIL BOX SCHEME
MGP strongly opposed the ill-
conceived mail-box scheme for Mumbai announced
by the Government of India.
This controversial scheme
was later dropped. |
MGP
strongly opposed the ill- conceived mail-box scheme
for Mumbai announced by the Government of India. This
controversial scheme was later dropped. |
MGP
launched an all India
campaign against large scale misuse of heavily
subsidised post cards (costing only 15 paise) for
several TV
contests and forces the Central Government to introduce
special TV contest Post Cards priced at Rs.2/-. |
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MGP
was at the forefront to maintain that Consumer Protection
Act (CPA) squarely
covered medical services, although doctors’
lobby vehemently opposed their inclusion under
CPA.
The controversy was set at rest
when the Supreme Court gave unequivocal judgment in1995
declaring all medical services (except those totally
free) are covered under CPA. |
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MGP
has launched an awareness campaign against
frequent illegal strikes in several public utilities like transport, banking, electricity, Municipal Services etc, which hold consumers hostage to get
their unfair demand settled. MGP has also contemplated
legal action against some trade unions who provoked
illegal strikes in transport sector by claiming suitable
compensation from the unions for
hardships suffered by consumers. |
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The
multinational pharmaceutical giant Glaxo (India)
was caught re-cycling its rejected Betnesol
and other drugs in
open market.
MGP demanded an apology from Glaxo and assurance
of good quality drugs. Glaxo refused to do so. MGP
pursued the matter with Food and Drugs Administration
(FDA). The
upright and fearless FDA Commissioner Mr Arun Bhatia
ordered 10 days closure of all Glaxo factories
in India for
serious violation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act
provisions. Glaxo appealed the Health Minister of
Maharashtra. The chief Minister unceremoniously transferred
Mr Bhatia. MGP launched massive campaign and thousand
of consumers sent
protest postcards to the Chief Minister.
The Health Minister of Maharashtra
confirmed FDA Commissioner’s order. Glaxo challenged it in High Court but failed. Finally,
Glaxo observed 10 day closure
of its factories in Mumbai, Thane,
and Nasik. Sometime later, the Managing Director
of Glaxo had to quit. |
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MGP
successfully campaigned against compulsion of iodised
salt and forced the government to lift the ban on
use of common salt. |
