Amita Nayak Salatry, Chairperson of Consumer Protection Committee at Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), elaborates on engaging with and educating the public about their rights as consumers
What is the GCCI Consumer Protection Committee all about?
The GCCI Consumer Protection Committee is dedicated to raising awareness about consumer rights. Many individuals lack understanding of their rights as consumers, despite the fact that everyone is a consumer with inherent rights. The six fundamental rights outlined in the Consumer Protection Act are: Right to
Safety, Right to Choose, Right to Be Informed, Right to Consumer Education, Right to Be Heard and Right to Seek Compensation Unfortunately, awareness of these rights remains limited. Our committee actively works to educate the public about the Consumer Protection Act through various programs and workshops designed to enhance understanding and promote consumer advocacy.
What motivated you to take on the role of Chairperson of the Consumer Protection Committee?
The Consumer Protection Committee comprises a diverse group of professionals, each bringing valuable expertise to our mission. Our esteemed members include: K. Sasindran Nair, Co-Chair and noted industrialist; Sunil Morajkar,
builder and Vaastu expert; Nitin Maganlal, entrepreneur; Prof Subhash Kauthankar, former Principal of Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Center (DMC), Assagao; Jyoti Sardessai, former Director of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA); Arun Panchwadkar, Controller of Legal Metrology, Goa; Ashutosh Agarwal, Bureau of Indian Standards; Gopal Parsekar, Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs; Sunil Mare, Manager at Hindustan Petroleum Co. Ltd; and Sanjay Thakur, Manager at Bharat Petroleum Co. Ltd.
Our committee’s term commenced in July of last year, during which we have successfully conducted numerous programs aimed at raising consumer awareness.
I have been involved with the State Consumer Protection Council and the Consumer Conciliation Committee for the past 20 years. I joined the Consumer Protection Committee under the chairmanship of Gangaram Morajkar, and subsequently became Co-Chair. Shrinivas Dempo, the incumbent President of GCCI recognised my contributions and recommended me as the next Chair. I am currently enjoying my role in guiding our members and advancing our mission.
What are the various programmes that you have held during your term and what are your future goals?
Upon assuming leadership of the Consumer Protection Committee, my first initiative was a program for the LLM students of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, focused on the New Consumer Protection Act of 2019. This was followed
by a program at Dempo College of Commerce centered on Consumer Literacy, in observance of Consumer Literacy Day on September 8, featuring my colleague from the Consumer Conciliation Committee, Roland Martins, as the speaker. We then organised a program on cooking gas safety for 15 self-help groups, which successfully engaged over 150 women. Our fourth initiative addressed the Safety of Weights and Measures for students at Vidhya Prabhodini Higher Secondary, with insights provided by Swizel Colaco, an inspector in Legal Metrology. The fifth program, held at Khandola College, focused on Food Safety and featured a compelling presentation by FDA food inspector Safia Khan, which was well-received. Our sixth program, discussing the Co-operative Societies Act, was conducted at the GCCI hall, attended by students from both Dempo College and the LLM students of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, with Mangesh Phadte from the Department of Cooperation as the speaker.
Looking ahead, we plan to organize a program at the College of Home Science on the National Food Security Act, involving the Department of Civil Supplies, with Assistant Director Tulsidas Dabholkar as the speaker. Additionally, we have outlined two forthcoming programs: one on the Bureau of Indian Standards and ISI Marks, and another on Consumer Awareness regarding Petroleum Products and New Initiatives, which will require collaboration
with Bharat Petroleum Co. Ltd. As my term approaches its conclusion in the coming months, the committee aims to maximise our outreach and impact through these initiatives.
How does the Committee ensure that consumers are informed about their rights?
All programs organised by the Committee focus on raising awareness about consumer safety. We strive to engage as many individuals as possible by conducting initiatives in various colleges and reaching remote areas across Goa. The Consumer Protection Council designates three significant days each year to honour consumer rights: World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, commemorating the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill in the USA in 1962; National Consumer Day on December 24, marking the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in the Indian Parliament in 1986; and Goa State Consumer Rights Day on June 25, celebrating the passage of the Consumer Protection Bill in the Goa Assembly in 1987.
On these days, we are often invited to speak and conduct programs at various institutions, reinforcing our commitment to consumer education and advocacy.
What is the biggest challenges facing consumer protection today and how is the Committee addressing them?
One of the primary challenges that we face is the lack of awareness among consumers. Even when individuals are
aware of their rights, many hesitate to approach consumer courts, perceiving the process as a potential waste of time and money. To address this, we are committed to organising programs that educate consumers about available
solutions to their issues. Additionally, we encourage individuals to reach out to us for guidance and support; we are
always available to assist them in navigating their concerns.
How does the Committee engage with the public and incorporate consumer feedback into its work?
As previously mentioned, we conduct various programs and workshops to engage with the public. Individuals are welcome to approach us for one-on-one discussions; we are always available to provide assistance. We actively gather feedback from participants, both positive and constructive, which we relay to the relevant Consumer Departments to address the challenges faced by the community. Additionally, we can offer personalised guidance to individuals on how to effectively navigate their grievances.
