| "Definition of the word 'consumer' should be broadened and made more inclusive, and COPRA should be further amended on this and other counts. Moreover, formulation of a product liability law to save consumers from the harmful effects of products and from necessity to prove 'defect' in a product and 'negligence' of manufacturer is required," Pradeep S Mehta, secretary general, CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society), said. |
| Speaking at a seminar, organised by CUTS and consumer affairs department of government of West Bengal, Mehta said redress should be speeded, simplified and qualitatively improved. |
| Even though COPRA is comprehensive piece of legislation, it is plagued by inordinate delays in the delivery of justice and enforcement of orders. |
| As of December 2003, about 245,220 consumer cases were pending in the district forums, 99,295 cases were pending in the state commission while 765 cases were pending in the national commission. |
| While law is perceived to be one of the way of protecting consumer, the importance of awareness can not be ignored. Naren Dey, minister in charge of co-operation and consumer affairs departments, GoWB pointed out creating a mass awareness was the need of the hour. |
| "Law is not enough. What we need is people movement. We have to highlight what are the rights of consumers and how that can be protected. The government can not do it alone," Dey added. |
| Nazeeb Arif, secretary general of Indian Chamber of Commerce said consumers must be aware of ethical and good corporate practice and reward those who perform them. |
| "Price is one of the most important factor. Market in India does not always distinguish between a product which is eco-friendly and conform to all norms and a product which does not care about those," Arif pointed out. |
| He called for putting an institutional framework taking corporate, regulator and consumer together to ensure better co-ordination among all. |
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