5/2010

I N S I D E

Our Right to Fair HealthcareServices

RHB to Build 20,000 Units inJaipur

JM Gets World Heritage Stamp

An Ayurvedic Park Soon Pradeep S Mehta, Secretary General

A Letter to a Common ConsumerSeasons Greetings!

You must be on a shopping spree in this festive season. Of course, weknow that shopping is a strenuous task. There must be hundreds of itemson your list, right from jewellery for your wife to sweets for relatives. Andwho can forget about crackers and new clothes for children. Don’t worry,let us volunteer to assist you in making smart, informed and intelligentchoice.

Let’s start with jewellery, it is precious and for we Indians a capital investment. Toensure authenticity and value for money jewellery should be purchased from jewellerswho adhere to Bureau of Indian Standards Hallmarking scheme. To make the taste ofsweets sweeter, make sure that box is not weighed with the sweets. This is an UnfairTrade Practice (UTP) and has been acted against by consumer forums several times.

As a smart consumer you ought to be careful against practices which are againstyour interest and violative of the Competition Act. It has been seen that not only inJaipur but in other parts of the country as well, people are forced to buy their children’sschool uniform and books from the school itself or the stores specified by the schools.Such a practice is called “tie-in-arrangement” and is prohibited under the CompetitionAct, 2002. So, now you can save money and have more choices when next time you goto purchase your kid’s school uniform.

In festive seasons the kitchen occupies centre stage, and why not, after all Rajasthanis famous for its cuisines. But are you purchasing substandard or spurious food products?Well, in Jaipur there is a big market of non-branded food products, such as flour, snacks,spices, maava etc. While branded food products have to mandatorily adhere to standardsprescribed like Agmark, ISI etc and have to declare manufacturing date, expiry date andmaximum retail price; non-branded local food items make entry into our houses withoutpassing through any scanner. Therefore, there is a need to bring even the unorganisedsectors within the purview of existing laws.

Do you know that even big recognised brands resort to practices that dupe consumers?Take for example the case of branded soaps, which are often sold in bundles of three orfour. You are forced to buy all the soaps even if you just need only one. Next time whenyou purchase mosquito vaporiser make sure the brand is same as that of your mosquitorepellent machine, or else you will be left with a vaporiser that doesn’t fit in the repellentmachine. Well gulping down all this is difficult, how about trying some juice or healthdrink? But wait: you will not find expiry date on many juice bottles, it just says – bestbefore six months from the date of package. You don’t know if it quenches your thirst orlands you in hospital bed.

Thankfully, you are not remediless in all the mentioned cases. These practices areproscribed under the Consumer Protection Act or Competition Act. Wake up to thesemalpractices and report them to concerned authorities. Your vigilance and proactivenessbecomes all the more important because authorities are often found sleeping over suchissues.

We wish you happy shopping!

www.google.com

| 2 | City Matters • 5/2010

Our Right to Fair Healthcare ServicesIn the LimelightIn the LimelightIn the LimelightIn the LimelightIn the Limelight

We all have visited a doctor sometime or the other.Generally, our perception about doctors is thatthey are Gods, because they save your life or

make living more easy. However, with the experiences acommon man has, this no longer sounds true or even credible!

The health sector in India is riddled with many problems, andserves as an epitome of government apathy. Jaipur is not anexception to this phenomenon. Making things worse for Jaipuris the sorry state of government dispensaries in terms ofinfrastructure and lack of qualified doctors. Although Jaipurhas 51 dispensaries, most of them are in dilapidated state anddo not even have medicines. Further, there are just 72 doctorsto cater to a large number of patients. These circumstancesnaturally compel patients to move to private healthcare centresthat are found mushrooming these days.

Private hospitals charge exorbitantly and also resort to certainunethical practices. It is not uncommon for doctors to prescribeexpensive medicines, even though a cheaper genericalternative is present. Take for example Albendazole 400 mg –a common medicine to treat worms. The generic version ofthis medicine will cost us ‘1.10, whereas some doctors prescribebranded version costing from M12-20.

Like us, even you must have found it strange when your doctorinsists you to visit a particular diagnostic centre. This happensbecause of collusiveness between doctors and diagnosticcentres; a certain share of diagnosis fee goes to the doctor forreferring patients to the particular centre.

A little awareness and proactiveness on our part can save usfrom being ripped off. It will be helpful, if we take secondopinion and ask the doctor to prescribe cheap genericmedicines instead of expensive ones.

Currently, CUTS is carrying out a project entitled, ‘CollusiveBehaviour in Health Delivery in India: Need for Effective Regulation’

in Assam and Chhattisgarh in an attempt towards identifyingmore accurately the source and nature of such medicalmalpractices and their impacts on consumers. It would highlightvarious distortions in healthcare delivery system in the countryand provide inputs to policy community as well as otherstakeholders for taking necessary actions to curb such practices.

Another area, which calls for our attention, is the quality ofmedical services. Even after paying a hefty amount, patientsfall victim to highhandedness and carelessness of doctors. Byavailing the protection granted under Consumer ProtectionAct (COPRA) we can fix the responsibility on erring doctors.

Indra Raj Choudhary, a resident of Jodhpur, successfully gotcompensation of M70,000 from L N Hospital, when the latterwas found negligent in operating upon Choudhary. Choudharyhad to undergo second operation to fix his humerus bone,when the doctors in L N Hospital had fixed his broken bonewrongly.

The Clinical Establishment Bill seeks to redress the problemsof innocent consumers and fixes responsibility upon doctorsand clinical establishments. But it is unfortunate that despitebeing a welfare legislation the Bill has yet not become a law.Competition law can also check collusive practices betweendoctors and diagnosis centres. Alas!, the CompetitionCommission of India – the authority responsible for itsimplementation – is new and needs capacity building before itcan start flexing its muscles.

In these circumstances, awareness and proactiveness of theconsumer herself become her best aid. Do not take doctors’word as gospel truth, reason with them and always ask themfor prescribing generic medicines…it is your right. Remember,doctors are within the purview of COPRA and one can use itto redress one’s grievances in case of deficiency in services onpart of doctors.

www.google.com

5/2010 • City Matters | 3 |

BriefsBriefsBriefsBriefsBriefs

No Proper Solid Waste ManagementPink City that vouches for becoming

a world-class city lacks propermanagement of solid waste. Residentsoften complain of littered garbage intheir neighbourhood and there is nosystem of proper door-to-doorcollection. Till date, Jaipur MunicipalCorporation (JMC) has completed onegarbage transfer station at Jhalana out offive as planned under the JawaharlalNehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM).

The project has already been delayedby two years. Over 100 vehiclesdedicated to solid waste management inthe city will have Global PositioningResource Satellite (GPRS) TV compliedchip to track their movement in the city.The system would enable monitoring ofgarbage collection from different sites tothe final destination, i.e. the garbagerecycling units at different places.

(RP, 14.08.10)

No Two-wheelers for Schoolkids

Buying a two-wheeler forschoolchildren or those below 18 yearsmay become next to impossible with theRoad Safety Council (RSC) making sucha proposal. There are many children wholoose their lives in road accidents. A lawwould be implemented for makingsuitable amendments so that two-wheelers are beyond bounds of children.

The proposal includes checkinglicence of bike owners at the time of saleand incorporating special courses ontraffic rules and regulation at allgovernment schools from the high schoollevel. Proposals for compulsory lane-driving on highways were also mooted.Though this will not be done immediatelybut drivers will be trained for the same.In the second phase such offenders willbe warned and after that penalties willbe imposed. (ToI, 14.08.10)

JMC Reclaims Land Worth Rs 40 crThe JMC reclaimed land worth M40

crore near Janata colony. The anti-encroachment squad started dismantlingencroachments on at least 10,000 squareyards that was under the control of landmafias for years. According to MotiDoongri zone commissioner BhanwarSingh Choudhury, the land was enclosedwith a boundary which was razed to theground despite massive protest by themafia.

The land was allotted to a temple’schief priest by the government a fewyears ago. However, after his death hisdisciples illegally sold the public land toa fake society. After receiving complaints,the district administration had annulledthe allotment to the priest and declaredit as government land. (ToI, 15.08.10)

RHB to Build 20,000 Units in JaipurThe Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB)

will soon announce two new residentialschemes for the city as the stategovernment has approved acquisition ofnearly 714 hectares of land for thepurpose. The two schemes proposed atJagatpura and Goner in Siroli will lead toconstruction of nearly 20,000 residentialunits.

While Indira Gandhi NagarExtension is to come up over 314.30hectares at Jagatpura, the Goner schemeset up on 400 hectare. The RHB hasdeveloped some of the most popularresidential schemes in Jaipur. However,it has not announced any majorresidential project since the IndiraGandhi Nagar scheme in 2002. Landacquisition has also been slow duringthe period and the board activities haveconsiderably reduced in the city.

(ToI, 15.08.10)

Jaipur Dairy Denies ACB AllegationsThe Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)

seized 15 tonnes of rotten milk powderfrom the Jaipur Dairy. Managing Directorof Jaipur Dairy L K Kaushik said thatthe claim of the ACB that they were usingstale milk powder for making milk wasfalse and unfounded.

He said the powder seized by theACB had already been “discarded”.Challenging the ACB’s allegations, he saidthat they have strict quality controlmeasures and checks on the materialsused for making milk. Moreover, they also

invite nearly six lakh consumers to cometo their state-of-the-art lab and test thequality of the products. He alsoquestioned the bureau’s claim the seizedmilk powder contained maltose.

(ToI, 11.08.10)

Single Ticket for BRTS, Metro

The metro and Bus Rapid TransitSystem (BRTS) ride will be possible on asingle ticket. An authority will have tobe formed for coordinating themovement of BRTS and metro to providebetter integrated public transportservices. At present, the BRTS isoperational in 10 routes in the city andits approach will be soon extended tocover outskirts areas of the city. The BRTSis unable to provide fast connectivityinside the congested areas. However, themetro will have no constrains of roadspace and will help bridge the gap.

The two proposed corridors of theJaipur Metro will intersect at the SindhiCamp bus stand enabling the passengersto travel through metro between the 27proposed metro stations. The BRTS willhelp as a feeder to these metro stationsproviding further public transportationconnectivity. (ToI, 06.08.10)

JM Gets World Heritage StampThe largest stone astronomical

observatory in the world – Jantar Mantar(JM) – has been accorded world heritagestatus by the United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO). The observatory, builtbetween 1727 and 1734 by MaharajaJai Singh II at his new capital of Jaipur, isamong the seven sites in the world whichhave been added to the UNESCO’sWorld Heritage list in 2010.

The new status of Jantar Mantarwould be a boost to the tourism sector.The observatory consists of 20 majorgeometric devices for measuring time,

BriefsBriefsBriefsBriefsBriefs

City MattersCity MattersCity MattersCity MattersCity Matters is a Bi-monthly newsletter published by Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS), D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, India,Phone: 91.141.2282821, Fax: 91.141.2282485 Email: cuts@cuts.org, Web site: www.cuts-international.org, and printed by Jaipur Printers P. Ltd., Jaipur, India.

CUTS offices also at Kolkata, Chittorgarh and New Delhi (India); Lusaka (Zambia); Nairobi (Kenya); Hanoi (Vietnam); and Geneva (Switzerland).

Sources: DB: Dainik Bhaskar; DNA: Daily News & Analysis; RP: Rajasthan Patrika; ToI: Times of India

predicting eclipses and tracking stars’location as the earth orbits around thesun. It can also ascertain the declinationsof planets and determine the celestialaltitudes and related ephemerids.

(ToI, 01.08.10)

Ban on Plastic BagsWith the state government imposing

a complete ban on manufacturing,storing and sellingof plastic carrybags from August01, 2010, Jaipuritesare set to welcomethe eco-friendlychange with openarms.

Anybody found using a plastic bagcould face up to five-seven yearsimprisonment or a fine of up to M onelakh. Cotton and jute bags along withrecycled paper bags will now be usedand promoted instead of plastic madebags. The state government has alreadywithdrawn value added tax over cottonand jute in order to promote them.

The ban has been brought keepingin mind the ill-effects of plastic. Theseplastic bags cause damage to health,hygiene and environment. Non-degradable plastic bags, which arecommonly used and are omnipresent, arepoisonous. (RP, 01.08.10)

New Traffic Plan on AnvilWhile the Khasa Kothi crossroad was

free of traffic congestion, there was norelief for commuters on the first trial dayof the new traffic management plan. Withthe traffic diversion, the congestion wasmerely transferred to other locations inthe city.

Commuters had a tough timecrossing the railway station intersection.Despite the efforts of the police, the longqueue of vehicles, both inside and outsidethe station, resulted in a traffic nightmare.The traffic police , however, were“contended” with the trafficmanagement.

The new plan covers the majority oftraffic movement between Sindhi Camp

bus stand, Jaipur railway station, CollectorateCircle, Hasanpura Flyover and areasaround Khasa Kothi. The broad base trafficplan has been prepared after the recentlyinaugurated M22 crore Khasa Kothiflyover was unable to provide any respitefrom traffic congestion.

(RP, 14.08.10 & ToI, 26.08.10)

Airport Fails to Attract Airlines

The Jaipur airport has failed to attractpremier international airlines despite itsswanky new terminal building operatingsince June 2009. Many internationalairlines had inspected the facilities at theairport. The new swanky building wasbuilt at an estimated cost of M206 crore.It is equipped with all modern facilitiesin order to attract the best airlines ofthe world.

According to sources, Jaipur airportis running without safety licence from theDirectorate General of Civil Aviation.Another area of concern forinternational airlines is the sterile areawhich is inadequate for internationaloperations. So far, foreign nationalscoming to Jaipur prefer to land in Delhi.It has a maximum capacity of 70 flights aday but currently has 30 movements aday. (ToI. 31.07.10)

Low-floor Buses in JaipurThe Rajasthan State Road Transport

Corporation (RSRTC) is hoping that thelow-floor buses will reduce the numberof vehicles plying on the roads. Thesebuses would connect the suburban areas.With a nominal ticket of M20, acommuter can now travel more than 40km in the low floored buses in thesuburban areas. Consequently, the farewill be just M15 if one has to travel for

35 km and M10 for travelling 25 km ofdistance.

Recently, RSRTC has introduced 20low-floor buses on Goner Road. But now,it has plans to introduce the buses onDelhi Road, Agra Road, Sikar Road and TonkRoad. There will be 400 low-floor buseswhich would become the lifeline of thecity. The buses are the part of the three-tier transportation system planned bythe state government to improvetransport in the city. (DB, 09.08.10)

Fresh DPR for Ring Road LikelyA fresh detailed project report (DPR)

of the ring road will be drafted if theproject is reassigned to the JaipurDevelopment Authority (JDA). The roadalignment will, however, remain more orless same as before.

The alignment of the road wasprovided by the JDA while the remainingdetails were drafted by the contractor.However, if the project is to be developedby JDA, a new DPR will be needed. TheJDA Commissioner, Sudhansh Pant calledfor rapid progress on the public privatepartnership projects for rehabilitation ofresidents in eight slum areas of the city.

(RP, 20.08.10)

An Ayurvedic Park SoonAn Ayush cluster scheme will be

developed in Jaipur with the support ofthe Union Health Ministry. The park willhave facilities for conservation, treatmentand processing of medicinal plants alongwith area and auditorium. It would bedeveloped at a cost of M17 crore ofwhich the Union Ministry has providedM9.6 crore.

Spread over six acres of land, theproposed Ayush Park will be secondsuch cluster scheme across the countryafter Kerala in which quality ayurvedicmedicines would be produced.According to the officials, more then 50factories will be setting up their base inthe park and investment of around M70crore will be needed. The park will becompleted by March 2012 and isexpected to provide employment toaround 5000 people. (DNA, 24.07.10)