Consumer Protection

CREAT has established a Consumer Information Centre with a view to disseminate information on various facets of consumer protection, consumer law, environment, consumer advocacy etc. In the initial years the information centre was supported by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. However since 2003, the information centre is being run by CREAT. The centre is a repository of over 3000 books, journals, magazines, reports and other materials. The information centre also caters to the needs of the researchers, advocates and interns. The Information Centre is open on all working days/timings. However the centre does not have a lending policy.

Consumer Education is one of the core activities of CREAT. Consumer education is provided through School and College Consumer Clubs. For this purpose the Student Consumer Action Network [SCAN] has been constituted. SCAN is providing support to Consumer Study Circles in colleges by way of organising workshops, seminars, talks, surveys etc.

Training workshops are organised by CREAT independently and also in collaboration with other institutes/organisations. CREAT is involved in training Government officials, public sector employees, local bodies, Panchyatraj institutions, civil society groups and media persons. CREAT has made a small beginning to provide Internships to college students. The internships are for a period of 15-30 days. Interns can use the resources available in the information centre. However CREAT is not in a position to provide any financial assistance to interns. Students from National Law School of India University, JSS Law College, Vivekananda Law College etc. have undergone internships.

CREAT is assisting consumers to solve their grievances by way of providing guidance, documents and also taking up their grievances in the appropriate forum. Formats for filing complaints, addresses, case laws etc. are provided to the needy consumers. However actual postage/Xerox charges are to be borne by the consumers.