Consumer Forum

He speaks his mind when it comes to consumer rights and awareness. Otherwise, he is a calm, benevolent person by nature which quite reflects in his work. Bhanu Pratap, 28, resident of Dwarka Sector-12 runs consumer court website which aims to protect the interests of consumers. Starting of the website was not easy as no one trusted his idea and did not show any help. His hardships bore fruits at last and now his website is a trusted name amongst world's top websites for filing consumer complaints and seeking assistance.

Right guidance
"The main objective with which I started the website is that most of the people do not know how and where to file complaints. Even national consumer helpline is sometimes paralysed with complaints flooding across the country. So the objective is to protect their interests by giving the right guidance," he says sitting in his office in Sector-3.
"The website basically provides a platform to consumers being cheated by any organisation or entity for filing grievances and complaints online. Myself and my team provide free of cost assistance to them," he says.
A website is an easy and approachable medium to file complaints and seek assistance online. It is not that only complainant puts his complaint on the website. Even the second party, usually the faulty party, also comes and put forth its side of case on the website. Organisations like NIIT, ICICI among others have registered themselves to know complaints against them, if any. "We generally try to adjudicate the matter between both the parties outside the court if the case is not that serious and the faulty party is ready to pay damages," Bhanu Pratap explains.

Commencement
Initially, Bhanu formed a Consumer Welfare Society with like-minded people. Gradually, the idea to provide a platform for people, who are being cheated by different organisations came into being and culminated into the launching of the website. Started two years ago, the website is guiding people and has become a platform which also prevents people from engaging themselves with the faulty companies against which many complaints have been filed.

Challenges
The biggest challenge in running consumer court website is that, "many complaints filed are not genuine. So determining an authentic complaint is not an easy task. So we ignore such complaints and entertain only which are valid," explains Bhanu.
Future Plan
His eyes shine as he says, "I am looking forward to launch a blog whose subject will be Right to Information Act. Any topic under Right to Information Act would be discussed and assistance will be provided."

Message
"As a consumer it is our right to exercise rights as a consumer if you are being cheated or befooled by any organisation or entity. Raise your voice and take the help of agencies like government, consumer forums and voluntary organisations that work for safeguarding them. A consumer, on his part, must make every effort to inform himself of the product or service. Consumer responsibility can play a very important role in not only checking the market but also in restricting unnecessary consumption," he concludes.