शनिवार, 23 मार्च 2019

Consumers: The Least Protected In India

The hapless consumers in India is the least protected creature in this country. From Ambani, Tata to even state-run banks, all are out to fleece  the gullible 'memes'. Recently, our Tata Nexon was due for annual service. 

As per Tata manual the "break pads" are to be removed after 30,000 km of journey but it was replaced  during annual service even before 14,000 km, Many small parts have been replaced and charged on one pretext or  another despite "warranty period". Tata Motors claims"Nexon" is World's most safe and and reliable brand . 

One wonders if the World's  best car's  parts get  worn out within a year, the plight of Tata's other brands may turn out to be worst. most Its a  clear ploy to hoodwink the customers. Mukesh Ambani's owned Reliance JIo is no better. The Jio launched its Rs. 1500 smartphone and Rs. 49 28 days package with much fanfare. But, this phone works like a " toy" and this 'made in China' toy phone costs just Rs. 250 in market. 

 Ambani is selling the phone for Rs. 1500. The Rs. 49 monthly package is not worth of Rs. 20. Most of the time. the network remains dead. Its not only Ambani, Tata, even govt-run banks are all out to fleece its customers. I had availed a  housing loan from state-run IDBI  under floating rate of interest. 

But during 14 years repayment was not given a benefit of single Rs. whenever key interest rates were cut down. Bank was smart enough to raise the interest rate the moment it was hiked by RBI but never responded whenever I demanded to cut the interest rate. Instead, during 14 years period, I was overcharged more than Rs. 50,000. Complained to RBI, but didn't get any relief. This is the same bank which extended liberal loans to  ailing Kingfisher airline owned by Vijay Mallya. 

The corrupt system of state-run banks lend with open arms to arms-twisters like Vijay Mallaya and Nirav Modi. Govt of the days is in league with the system/ It nominates its men on the board of sate-run banks and these men work as conduits to favour the ruling politicians and their blued-eye men like Mallya and Nirav Modi. 

There are hundred of thousands of such cases. "Jago Graha Jago' sites are full of such complaints. Consumer is always at the receiving end. There plenty of are laws, consumer courts and a full fledged union ministry but the plight of the consumers continue to be miserable.   

(Chander Sharma)