1974 to 1980

1974

April 26, in the first General meeting of the Council Regional Transport Officer ordered the removal of air-horn.

1974

November, Secretary gave Oral Evidence before the Joint Select Committee of Parliament Reg. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act.

1975

December, Our Survey on the needs of Tiruchi-Madras Rail Passengers resulted in two carriages getting added to Rock Fort Express.

1979

Council started functioning in this new name. New Registration, 600 people demonstrated in front of A/c. Cinema hall protesting against beating up of a member who demanded A/c. – A/c. restored. Collector ordered reduction in fare in case there was no Air-conditioning. April 14, 1980.

1981 to 1990

1982

Activity campaigned against adulteration-took samples worked with Dr.Murali, Municipal Health Officer created awareness.

1984

Contributed to the discussion on the draft of consumer protection act in New Delhi – Govt. of India meeting (Dept. of Civil Supplies)

1986

• Measured Noise Pollution sound level metres with sound level investments at 5 places in Tiruchy 14 hours a day for 8 days drew noise map of Tiruchi.

• In a big meeting with officials stressed rem val of Air Horns removed.

• Campaigned on the qualities of batteries published articles nation wide.

• Questions in parliament-Minister appoints committee from April – Oct. 1987 all battery cells brought under mandatory ISI certification. Every cell comes with date of manufacture printed now.

1987

• For irregularities in reduction sales, on our complaint MRTP Commission intervened issues warning to Textile Shop – Textile Shop gives an undertaking to MRTP Commission.

• Toll collecting contractor for the new coleroon bridge keeps old bridge closed. We moved the Central Government to intervene-kept the old bridge open for local traffic-stayed toll collection

• First State Level Conference of consumer groups and individuals-One day training Food Minister presided. Several branches in Tamilnadu started.

1988

• April 24th –Madras – Bombay Super fast train introduced campaigned in was not super fast crusade June 17th Railways re-designated the train as “Express Train” The representation in Central Consumer Protection Council – Govt.of India. The Only one for Tamilnadu.

• Nominated to the Bureau of Indian Standards only consumer representative from Southern States and to CPC

• Under International Visitor’s program toured voluntary for a week.

• Sep.27th met, Ralph Nader worked with his team for a week.

• Toured consumer organisations in UK & Europe visited IOCU Headquarter in The Hague, Netherlands.

1989

• Transferred 150 BPC – LPG customers in Indian Oil Corporation when they complained of poor service.

• Obtained LPG Connections to 14 people who were denied for the past 5 years.

• Published a survey on tooth paste, quantity at National level.

• Conducted a survey at national level on the delivery system of post offices and established delay.

• Conducted a survey at National Level on Telegram Services-publications results in improvement.

• Rs. 20,000/- compensation to a baby boy, when a doctor while injecting left broken needle inside for a day.

1990

• Represented India as one member-delegation in the International Standards Organisations in Florida, USA

• Visited Standard Organizations in USA

• Member of the ISO working group to evolve ISO guide on product information and instructions for use.

• Survey on public telephones.

• Exposed loop holes in free nice distribution of Government of Tamilnadu-Demanded its withdrawal in State Consumer Protection Council Meeting in October. Food minister accepted our demand and withdraw the scheme.

1991 to 2000

1991

• April 13th Food Minister inaugurates District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum Tiruchy in our meeting

• Rs.8,000 as compensation awarded by state commission for a passenger who has to travel in an unreserved compartment to Bombay because a reserved ticket was given on a day in which the train did not run

• State Commission declares we are entitled to telephone connection on priority.

• Food minister announces appointed of consumer organisations representatives in vigilance panel for Fair Price Shops. Getting the vigilance our panel itself effort in 1983.

• A Doctor apologies in Newspaper when a boy died in a 24 hour nursing home which was unattended for 4 hours during which the boy died.

• Courier companies and TV companies pay compensation.

• 4 berths allotted for Tiruchy in Madras-Tuticorin Express on our lobbying.

• Department of Posts advances the closure of Post-offices to 6 pm campaigned and extended it to 8 pm.

1992

• Ten rural consumer education camps.

• With aid of Central Government 100 Adulteration Detection Kits were prepared and distributed to all consumer groups in Tamilnadu. Food minister presided.

• Nominated to the working group on Public utilities commission to regulate public utilities like transport, power and communication.

• Secretary visits Public Utility Commission in four states of USA.

• Rs. 13,148/- awarded as compensation by state commission as Railways evicted a passenger who had a confirmed reserved ticket to Bombay.

• Persuaded the Union Minister Telecommunication to nominate consumer organisation representatives in Telecom Advisory Committees all over India.

• Secretary and many others nominated to Tamilnadu Telecom Advisory Committee.

• Won a compensation of Rs. 5.5 Lakhs from National Commission for the widow of a passenger who had a tragic death inside a TTC Bus.

1993

• Union Minister for Railways for the first time fixes norms – 55 kmph – for super fast trains in India. 23 Trains deleted from super fast list in supreme court case filed by us.

1994

• Prepared the report on citizen’s charter for the working group of Central Consumer Protection Council

• Won several cases in District, state and National Consumer Commission Resolving over 200 complaints a year.

• Conducted Regional Programme of Training of Trainees in association with consumer coordination council New Delhi for co.orgs reps from all are south. Food Minister presided.

• Won a case in District Consumer Forum against City Cooperation Bank which refused to give the interest rate contracted as per FDR. Bank ordered to pay compensation of plus interest.

• Did a survey on the impact of withdrawal/reduction of exise duty  as several commodities in Union Budget widely published.

• Nominated to central Consumer Protection Council.

1995

• Nominated member Doordharsan Advisory committee council re. nominated to Telecom Advisory Committee conducted state level training programme for 80 consumer activist at Tiruchi.

• Took up the case of Rehana Begum a girl of 8 needle broke and struck inside while giving injection in Govt. Hospital – doctor and nurse transferred

• Won a case in National consumer dispute redressed commission against Railways when a passenger with confirmed ticket was detrained compensation of Rs. 16,000/- obtained for the passenger.

1996

• Elected to Governing Council of consumer coordination council an apex body of consumer organisations.

• Detected a cement adulteration unit at Thiruvanaikovil Tiruchi and civil supply police took action.

• Seized 1 bag of ration rice while it was being siphoned off.

1997

• Nominated to Divisional Railway users consultation council.

• Under took a 48 hour fast attention on Dept. of Telecom not insisting on the display of information about tariff and permitting excess collection by STD/PCO booths. Resulted in action by DoT.

1998

• Participated in an International Workshop on ‘Public Administration / Issues of Governance’ in Theodore Academy, Germany for 10 days.

• Studied functioning of Citizen’s Charter in London at the delivery point for 3 weeks. 1997-1998.

• Celebrated Public Utilities Week, arranged meeting by CGM Telecom, PMG Posts. Addl.GM, S.Rly.

• Obtained an order for compensation from Banking ombudsman for the first time in Tiruchi for a bank customer for his loss.

• Complained against Green Glory & Thivya Jothi two money Circulation Schemes and stopped their operation completely and saved thousands of consumers from fraud.

• Obtained compensation from a courier from state consumer commission for a consumer at Kumbakonam.

• Conducted workshop on citizens charts on railways in Chennai association with consumer coordination council GM S.Rly. Inaugurated.

• Obtained Refund of Tuition Fees for a college student – This set a trend.

1999

• Invited by the Union Finance Minister for pre-budget consultation.

• Conducted consultation meet on Citizen’s Charter for Railways in Tiruchi – Addl.GM inaugurated prepared the model charter.

• Participated in a live-phone-in Programme with Southern Railway GM for 1 ½  hours in DD Chennai answering questions from viewers on Feb.13th.

• Won a compensation plussum assured from LIC for the family of Mrs. Rajalakshmi who died in an accident (Rs. 60,000)

• Won a compensation plus sum assured from LIC for the family of Mr. Anand who died suddenly early claim (Rs. 2.5 lakhs) Both in District Forum, Tiruchi.

• N.Vittal, CVC addressed our members.

2000

• Invited by Union Finance Minister for pre budget consultation of Jan.7th. Two of our suggestions accepted.

• Won a compensation plus sum assured for Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Mrs. Rajam in a case filed against LIC.

• Nominated again to a Central Consumer Protection Council

• Detected 317 bogus cards in ration shop.

• Worked in Close association with District Administration to get 235 layouts approved in Tiruchi City.

• Trapped with the help of CBI, two Telecom Linesmen while they received bribe. Gave witness Linesman dismissed.

• Nominated as Member, Public Hearing on Pollution Control.

2001 to 2010

2001

• Invited again by Union Finance Minister for pre-budget consultation.

• Campaigned for amendments to Consumer Protection Act through newspaper articles and in CCPC Meetings.

• Won compensation for a Railway Passenger Stephen who could not board the train for want of information reg. cancellation of I class.

• Helped District Collector in Verification of electoral rolls with volunteers.

• Filed another 410 cases against Chinthamani on behalf of depositors. Awarded refund and compensation in 283 cases. The rest pending.

• Got sundry deposit unpaid for 11 years from LIC to Ms. Lalitha through a case filed in Thanjavur Dt Forum

• Won compensation and return of money for a BHEL, Co-op Bank Customer who was defrayed by a Bank.

2002

• Measured noise pollution with sound level metre.Noise pollution seminar with SR College campaigned for ban on air-horn.

• Won a case against Kasi Housing Ltd., on behalf of Prof.Usha Devi.

• Surveyed the distance of bus step from ground level and campaigned for reduction.

• Started a campaign for reduction of fax charges.

2003

• Published “ A Handbook on Consumer Protection Act.”. At a function Chennai C.Sitaram & co has sold two editions so far.

2004

• Wins case in National Commission against Chinthamani coop society for payment of deposits

• A written agreement with Chinthamani coop society by which society would pay Rs. 7.5 lakhs every month to the depositors through the council towards Principal long denied.

• Reduced Public fax charges from Rs.30 to Rs.10 per page.

2005

• Won two cases against LIC – got Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs.20,000 for policy holders. Got a refund of 70,000 for defective A/c machine.

• Won a case against dealer for refund of defective TV.

2006

• Got Rs. 3.12 Crores Principal back for 462 depositors of Chinthamani coop society