The State may have progressed by leaps and bounds as far as consumer activism is concerned, but there is a long way to go.
“We still don’t have enough consumer awareness as foreign countries do,” said S. Vijayan, deputy commissioner of civil supplies and consumer protection department.
He was addressing a capacity building training for Consumer Protection Act, 1986, organised by Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Centre on Sunday. Consumer forums, however, had played a vital role in spreading awareness, he said.
“More the awareness, better the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act. There may be several Acts, but we should implement them effectively,” Mr. Vijayan said, adding that fair-price shops would soon have helpline numbers.
Superintendent engineer of TANGEDCO, S. Shanmugam, who also spoke at the programme, said a grievance day would be conducted by the electricity board every month.
Consumers could direct their complaints to officials concerned, and if not resolved, approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum.
He said the severe power crunch in the State was due to a manifold growth in consumption over the last decade.
Over 100 people from the city and other districts participated in the training programme.
