The seventh episode of "Grahak Dost", the serial on different aspects of consumer protection scheduled for telecast over Doordarshan on August 1, 1998 highlights cases in which consumers were given relief by consumer court on instances of electricity disconnection, excess billing due to a faulty meter etc.

    The Electricity (Supply) Act 1948 provides for rationalisation of production and supply of electriciy. This Act alongwith internal redressal machinery of the respective electricty authorities do manage to safeguard the interests of the consumers to some extent. However, a lot of consumers feel that all this is not sufficient to redress their grievances. Such people can seek effective redressal under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, under which the consumer can get effective redressal for unfair trade practices and for any defect in purchased goods or deficiency in services.

    The episode presents the viewpoint of the electricity authorities in an unbiased manner; stressing upon the internal  redressal mechanism of the electricity deptts. e.g. bijli adalats etc. However, if consumers feel aggrieved despite the department's best efforts, they can turn to the consumer courts, for which there is no need to engage lawyers,or to pay any court fees. The courts provide an ideal forum for all such aggrieved consumers to address their grievances.
 
 

    Railway Board Chairman Shri V.K.Agarwal inaugurated here today the newly air conditioned indoor gallery, model train systems and video casette library in the National Rail Museum. Shri Agarwal said that these new additions and developments will attract more visitors to the museum.

    Six working model trains of M/S Hornby (UK) make in the indoor gallery are special attraction for visitors, specially children and consist of steam, diesel and electric locfuo combinations. The indoor gallery of the museum has been airconditioned for the benefit of the visiting public.

    The new video cassette library consisting of video cassettes on Railway themes will be an asset for visitors. They can see the cassette on the VCR/color TV and can also borrow the cassettes to view them at home for which a nominal payment is to be made.
 
 

    Prevailing prices of foodgrains will be the main agenda for discussion at the meeting of Food Secretaries of all States and Union Territories scheduled at New Delhi on August 10, 1998. The meeting is being convened by Shri R.S. Mathur, Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies to review matters pertaining to strengthening of Targeted Public Distribution System, open sale of foodgrains and other related matters.

    The Central Government had urged all the State Governments and Union Territories to review the price situation of foodgrains vis-a-vis the stock limits, off-take of foodgrains by the States for PDS and requirement of additional allocations. State Governments were also requested to suggest measures for maintaining the prices of foodgrains steady in their respective regions.

    The meeting will also review the existing storage facilities available in various States and Union Territories with a view to make an objective assessment of additional requirements wherever necessary.
 
 

    Private sector is intended to play a major role in meeting the housing shortages in urban areas. As estimated by the Working Group on Urban Housing in 1997, a shortage of 7.57 million dwelling units in urban areas has been listed.

    The National Agenda for Governance envisages construction of 20 lakh additional houses each year in the country, out of which 7 lakh houses will be constructed in urban areas. This has been incorporated in the National Housing and Habitat Policy-1998. The State-wise break up of the additional target was discussed in the Conference of State Housing Ministers held recently. The Central Government would function as facilitator and would ensure that housing finance and appropriate technology are made available. The legal and regulatory reforms are being taken up to give a boost to housing activity. The States will be working towards achievement of targets fixed under the Action Plan for implementation of the Agenda for Governance.

    Nearly 3/4th of housing activity is undertaken by private and household initiatives. Involvement of private sector to take up house construction activity for all sections will be an important element of the proposed Action Plan. Non Government Organisations and Cooperative Sector will also play a significant role in achievement of targets. However, Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) groups will continue to get the facility of concessional interest rate. The manner and extent to which the private sector is to be involved, would need to be worked out by the respective States.

    Meanwhile, to meet the target for building two million additional houses as set out in the National Agenda of Governance, it has been decided to involve the private sector in the housing industry in Delhi. Order in this regard issued to all concerned on June 6, 1998, inter alia stipulates that the minimum area required for land assembly will be 30 acres of contiguous land, the ownership of the person(s) should be legal, the developer will have to pay 20 per cent of the market value of the gross area into Shelter Fund and 10 per cent of the houses will be for the EWS and LIG category.