An earlier column of mine (For Complaints, contact…, August 24), which lists details of persons or departments to contact for different kinds of complaints seems to have gone down well with readers, many have asked for more such details that could “empower” them in their daily routine. So here are some more tips on what you can do, using just a scrap of paper and a ballpen.
Unsolicited calls, especially on your mobile, now invite penalties. If you get an unwanted promotional call, first ask the caller to identify herself/himself, along with the organisation he or she is calling from (or, on behalf of). Note these down, then calmly say that you intend claiming compensation for having been subject to an unsolicited call.
Last month saw an order specifying that each such call entitles the receiver to a compensation of Rs 500 (one court in fact ordered a hefty compensation of Rs 25,000 to a complainant).
Under the law, promotional callers have to first register and obtain permission, but there is also a move by activists to have a registry not just of those who do not want such unsolicited calls but of those who would have no objection to receive such calls (the second registry is easier to compile and maintain).
But a threat of a claim for compensation often works, and stops further harassment. A procedure for registering oneself for blocking unwanted calls was publicised in the media last month.
Autorickshaws that have the new electronic meters — with an oval ‘For Hire’ sign on a red background, rather than the older, rectangular one — are more reliable. I often wait till one of the new ones comes along, and have found that the difference in fares can be as much as 20 per cent.
Drivers assured me (on promise of anonymity) that even the new electronic meters can be meddled with, but the distance shown in kilometres is harder to tamper with.
Check the distance and multiply by Rs 6 per km to get the right fare. Pay up and walk away, without argument (after noting the vehicle number or DL number). If more of us use traffic complaints cards that are available free of cost (at most police stations), we could ensure better service and less of cheating through tampered meters.
If the meter runs even while the autorickshaw is stationary at a traffic signal, note the vehicle number (and/or driver licence number, which has to be displayed inside the vehicle) and bring this to the notice of the traffic police.
Often, when I say this at consumers’ meetings, someone will pipe up to say, “Aw, the police will do nothing, this just gives them an opportunity to threaten the driver and extract a bribe.” Maybe true, but not always. There are cases where action has indeed been taken, so don’t let cynicism become an excuse for public apathy.
Keeping the meter ticking and adding waiting charges at signals is unauthorised and illegal, even if the driver claims that he can do nothing about the meter which has been so programmed.
Keep emergency ambulance or accident relief numbers handy. Simple, four digit numbers are available, so one can even memorise them.
It used to be 1062, but was subsequently changed to 1054 (some hoardings continue to display the old numbers, which is a shame) and I used this number once, to get excellent service, with a very prompt arrival of an ambulance manned by staff who were efficient and rushed the patient straight to a hospital emergency section, but there are other numbers too for similar service.
I am horrified at the number of citizens, even among the highly educated, who have no clue on who to dial in an emergency. It could mean the difference between losing and saving a life, even if it is the life of an unknown person whose accident you happen to witness.
We have the dubious distinction of leading the world in the number of road accidents, with an estimated 85,000 people getting killed annually. That is thirty times the number killed in the WTC crash. That too, year after year.
Important and emergency numbers are listed at the beginning of the phone directory, while numbers to contact for various emergencies are also printed in all major newspapers. Cut this list out and keep in a handy place.
A fortnight ago the BBMP put out details of a ‘Rain related distress call’ helpline — 22221188 and 22100031 (control room) and 22975585 (health control room). Fifty officials have reportedly been deployed to attend to complaints “within an hour”. If anyone tried it, please share your experience.
E-mail contacts for two major consumer organisations of India are cgsibom@mtnl.net.in (Consumer Guidance Society of India, Mumbai, website www.cgsiindia.org) and cerc@cercindia.org (Consumer Education and Research Centre, Ahmedabad, website www.cercindia.-org).
The ministry of consumer affairs has a website (www.core.nic.in) for registering consumers’ grievances. The toll free helpline is 1 600 11 4000.
