Consumer Protection and Consumer Welfare - Center For ...

National Seminar
On
Consumer Protection and Consumer Welfare
February 4-5, 2009
Seminar Report
The Centre for Consumer Studies, IIPA, New Delhi in collaboration with the
Department of
Social Work, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi
organized a two day National Seminar on Consumer Protection and Consumer
Welfare from February 4-5, 2009. The Seminar was attended by teachers,
students, researchers and professionals from various universities and colleges in
Uttar Pradesh. The Seminar focused on increasing the role of universities and
research organizations in the consumer movement and also sensitising the
students about the need to take up research studies in the area of consumer
protection and welfare. The seminar was divided into six sessions in which papers
on various themes relating to consumer welfare were presented.
The Seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Gyanendra Singh, Vice Chancellor of
MGCG University, Chitrakoot, and Madhya Pradesh. The Chairperson of the
session was Prof. Awadh Ram, Vice Chancellor of MGKVP. Varanasi and the
Guest of Honour was Prof. Suresh Misra, Chair Professor, Centre for Consumer
Studies, IIPA, and New Delhi.
Dr. Anil K. Chaudhary, faculty member, Department of Social Work welcomed
the guests and gave a brief account of the objectives of the seminar. In his
welcome address Prof. L .M. Singh, Head, Department of Social Work, MGKVP
outlined the need for organizing such seminars and the role the Department of
Social Work can play in promoting the consumer movement. The Key note address
was delivered by Prof. B. Jha, Department of Commerce, and BHU. He outlined
the genesis of the consumer movement and its various dimensions and gave a
brief account of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Prof. Suresh Misra welcomed
the gather on behalf of the CCS and thanked the University for providing all
necessary help in organizing the seminar.

In his inaugural address the Chief Guest Prof. Gyanendra Singh highlighted
the need and importance of protecting the consumers in a market driven economy.
He said there are various dimensions relating to consumer protection, be it food
safety, drugs and cosmetics, spurious goods, poor services etc. Even the farmers
need to be protected under the Consumer Protection Act. He regretted that due to
lack of awareness the consumers are not able to take the benefit of such important
social welfare legislation. He emphasized that the subject of consumer protection
and consumer welfare is still alien to the university system which needs to be
changed. The universities can play an important role in this area. He wished that
such seminars are held in every university and the study of consumer protection is
incorporated in our university syllabus.
Prof. Awadh Ram, Vice Chancellor of MGKVP thanked the CCS for
organizing such a seminar in collaboration with the department of Social Welfare.
He outlined the role the universities can play in consumer protection. In his view
the Department of Social welfare can play a leading role not only in education the
consumers but also creating awareness among various stake holders. Dr. Bansi
Dhar Pandey proposed the vote of thanks.
The Seminar was divided into four technical sessions in which various papers
were presented;
Technical Session - I
Chairperson: Prof. D.P. Verma
Papers Presented:
1. Prof. Suresh Misra, Consumer Protection and Consumer Welfare: An
overview
2. Prof. R.B.S. Verma; Role of Social Work in Consumer Protection
3. Dr. K.N.Bhatt; Economic Aspects of Consumerism
4. Sri. S.N. Shukla; Upbhokta Sanrakchan- Ek Jagrukta
Technical session - II
Chairman: Prof. B. Jha
Papers Presented
1. Prof. Mahesh Vikram Singh; Consumer in Tourism; Safety and Satisfaction
with Special reference to India

2. Mr. Indu Kant Dixit; Role of Media in Consumer Protection ad Welfare
3. Mr. Ajay Wahi; Practical aspects of Consumer Cases
4. Dr. Kamalesh Verma; Vidyarthiyon Ke Upbhokta Adhikar
Technical session – III
Chairman: Prof. Suresh Misra
Papers Presented
1. Mr. Adesh Chaturvedi; Areas of Consumer welfare Pertaining to Medical
and Health
2. Mr. P.K. Tripathi; Consumer welfare and welfare in Insurance and Banking
3. Mr. Anurag Chaubey; Consumer to Consumerism: Analysis of Legal
Implications and Literary World
4. Dr. Anand Kumar Rai; State of Consumer Protection in Health Care
Technical Session-IV
Chairman: Prof. M.B. Shukla
Papers Presented
1. Dr. Sanjay Rai; Consumer protection through Medical Profession
2. Dr. Madhu; Student Evaluation of Teachers: Concern for Students Voices
3. Mr. Sudhir Kumar Rai; Health for Urban poor: Concern, Challenges and
Opportunities
4. Mrs. Sachi Adesh: Role of Civil Society in Ensuring Consumer Welfare
The paper presenters highlighted various issues and the session was
followed by question and answers. The proceedings were interactive and the
deliberations very participatory. The Students raised a number of questions
regarding the implementation of the consumer protection Act
The Valedictory session was chaired by Prof. Awadh Ram, Vice Chancellor of
MGKVP and Prof. V.C. Nirmal from the Faculty of Law, BHU was the Chief Guest.
Dr. Anurag Chaubey presented a brief report of the Seminar and the deliberations
that had taken place during the last two days. Delivering the Valedictory address
Prof. V. C. Nirmal congratulated the two organizations for organizing a seminar on
such an important theme. He discussed various dimensions of consumer
protection and said that legal aspect is just one part of consumer protection. What
is of more importance id the education and empowerment of the consumers to take
rational decisions? He pointed out that as far as the study of consumer protection
is concerned it is mainly confined to law departments. There is need for the

universities to take a lead in empowering the consumers and in this endeavor the
students can play a major role. He asserted that to make this possible consumer
protection has to be integrated into the university syllabus for which the UGC
should take a lead in this. In his presidential remarks Prof. Awadh Ram called upon
the university community to take up the cause of the consumers. There is a wide
scope for teachers and students to get involved in the consumer movement. Dr.
Bansi Dhar Paney proposed the vote of thanks.
The Seminar concluded with the following recommendations:
1. The University community should play a pro-active role in the consumer
movement
2. The UGC should take the initiative to incorporate Consumer Protection and
Consumer Welfare into the university syllabus
3. A optional paper on Consumer Protection and Welfare may be introduced
at the under graduate level
4. The students should be encouraged to take up research in the area of
consumer protection
5. To educate the consumers there is a need to set up consumer clubs in the
university
6. NSS and NCC should also incorporate consumer awareness programs in
their activities
Prof. Suresh Misra
Programme Director