Mysuru: There is a need to create awareness on National Consumer Day and Consumer Protection Act of 1986 among the student community to protect them from being cheated by the MNC companies which are selling various products online including toys among others, opined Members of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) during an interaction programme with Department of School Education and Literacy Assistant Director K. Suresh and retired Education Officer Srikanth at MGP Office in Yadavagiri here recently.

The members also expressed their concerns over Judiciary and Executive failing to create awareness among the students.

Speaking on the occasion, Srikanth noted that it was disheartening to see children falling prey to various online frauds including online shopping and gaming.

One of the MGP Members, who spoke on the occasion, requested the officials to start Consumer Clubs in schools and colleges to protect students from falling prey to online frauds. “Though there are directions for Government and the Department to encourage Consumer Movement and create awareness on National Consumer Rights at school and college level, no action has been initiated till date, he said.

MGP Founder-President Bhamy V. Shenoy said that the Department of School Education and Literacy had established Consumer Clubs in schools only for documentation purpose as no activities was being carried out except for observing Consumer Day once in a year.

In his reaction, Assistant Director K. Suresh said there were about 233 Government High Schools in the district out of which only a handful of them have Consumer Clubs where programmes on creating consumer awareness along with observing National Consumer Day on Dec. 24 are held.

“With increase in online frauds and children being targeted, there is need to hold awareness programmes at the school-level,” he said and added that the matter will be discussed with DDPI.

Students of JSS Law College, who were present at the meeting, extended their helping hands to start Consumer Clubs at Government High Schools, for which Suresh said that a decision in this regard would be taken after discussing with senior officials.

Meanwhile, Suresh was also appraised by Dr. Nataraj, a retired official, about a private school constructing building violating Government rules under Block Education Officer (North) limits. He also alleged that despite filing several complaints, no action was initiated by the Dept. against the school management.

Suggestions: • Starting Consumer Clubs in schools and colleges. • Create awareness on online frauds. • Training students and teachers on Consumer Protection Act. • Organising demonstrations at Government Schools to create awareness on Consumer Club and Consumer Protection Act. • Mandatory celebration of National Consumer Day on Dec. 24 at schools                                                   and colleges.

MGP Members S.K. Dinesh, Dr. K. Shankaregowda, K.V. Banuprashanth, S. Shobhana, K. Murali Mohan, Yashitha, Arun, K.G. Shashidhar, Arun Kumar Shettar, P. Rakesh, S.V. Shankar, R.B. Shobarani, Spandana S. Rai, P.B. Megha, P.N. Ananya, Vishwanath, Raghavendra, P. Srividya, Dr. Nataraj, Srikantesh, K.B. Ragahav, Payal R. Shankar, M.A. Chiranth Gowda, M. Pratheeksha, N. Kushi, V. Dayanand Sagar and others were present.