CGSI ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ to focus on banking sector

2024-11-22 04:25:20 Government

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It has been observed of late that there is a growing `Trust Deficit? between the consumers and industry on all matters pertaining to consumer interest. While consumers feel they are being short-changed while buying goods or not getting good post-purchase services, industry feels that consumers are always trying to make excuses for faults of their own and trying to fix the liability for their mistakes on industry.

This Trust Deficit has led to a divide between consumers and industry and instead of living in symbiosis with each other, they are actually living as adversaries. This problem sees a spillover into courts and litigation, which is detrimental to the interest of both parties.

To act as a bridge between these two distrustful friends, CGSI intends to have a monthly ?Chai Pe Charcha? between Industry and Consumers with the following modus operandi: This month the ?Chai Pe Charcha? is focused on the banking sector.

Date and time for the session: Thursday 23rd June 2016 at 2.00 pm sharp.

Issues to be discussed at Banking ?Chai Pe Charcha?

1. Credit Card Frauds: Why not Banks investigate themselves?

2. Cheques Bounce inspite of adequate Balance: what remedy?

3. Cheque Bounce Charges: Why should payee be made to pay?

4. Credit Card Rate of Interest: Why so high?

5. Service Charges: Where is the end?

6. Floating Rates and Fixed Rates: are consumers adequately warned?

7. ATM Woes: Frauds, inadequate cash, machine not working ? how to tackle?

8. Recovery agents ? who will reign them in?

9. Post-payment of loan document return; why the delay?

10. Sudden changes in Interest Rates: why should consumer suffer?

11. Banks selling other products like Mutual Funds & Insurance ? is this ethical?

12. Cheque leaves - Should Banks charge for Cheque leaves? Why not allow the consumer pick up facility at the Branch?

13. Electronic Banking ? can Banks think in terms of appointing `Bank Customer Mitras? to help consumers in Banking Services?

14. SMS Services - Should Banks insist on charging for SMS Services, if the customer doesn?t want them?

About CGSI:

CGSI, the pioneer consumer organization founded in 1966 has been working for the protection of consumer interests since last so many decades. Its Consumer Complaints Redressal Wing receives plenty of grievances from consumers which the legal aid arm addresses on a weekly basis.

If a valid complaint received, as a practice, CGSI?s Consumer Complaints Redressal wing takes the next step. A letter will be written to the concerned company/party to solve the matter amicably with the complainant. Failing which, the legal arm guides the complainant to move forward with legal remedies. It is a complete consultation and guidance session where each complainant is addressed personally with a nominal fee of Rs 150 to 250 for the service.

CGSI?s other activities include: Consumer education, conducting talks and exhibitions to spread consumer awareness among urban poor and rural areas, testing consumer products and publication of a bi-monthly magazine ?Keemat.?