In Pune, a young man, Bindu Madhav Joshi was witness to a mob setting fire to hoarders' warehouses in 1974.

His reaction was different and antithetical to fascism. His response was positive, democratic. He teamed with noted musician Sudhir Phadke to found what has become a robust consumer organisation. Nearby, in Mumbai another young man, Madhu Mantri was on the same wavelength. One memorable day, he organised consumers to sit-in and observe a fast. Someone brought news of a huge hoard of edible oils. Mantri led the protesters to the warehouse and with police help, began to sell the stock to the public at a fair price, the long faced hoarders given the proceeds. The sale went on all night. It was obvious that consumers lacked a forum. Joshi and Phadke began to organise buying groups in Pune in order to Marshall their collective power. Young social activists Bindu Madhav Joshi, Madhu Mantri, noted Music Director Sudhir Phadke, eminent journalist P.V. Gadgil etc. came together and decided to procure essential commodities directly from the producers or wholesalers for consumers by organizing consumers through "Grahak Sangh" and distribute them on "No Profit No Loss" basis to them. The system was basically aimed at eliminating all unfair trade practices of adulteration, short-changing in weights & measures and cheating in prices and further aimed at undertaking this activity as a role model of ethical, fair and transparent practices in procurement and distribution of essential commodities to consumers. Over a period of time the system got more and more crystallized.

Organization Profile
Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) is spearheading consumer movement for the last 35 years with a large membership of 28,000 families spread across Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pen , Palghar district exceeding turnover of nearly Rs. 55 Crores p.a. MGP has five Distribution Centres at Juhu/Vile Parle, Thane, Palghar, Pen (Raigad) & Vasai from where nearly 95 commodities are pre-packed and sent to nearly 2000 Grahak Sanghas comprising more than 28,000 families spread far and wide upto Anjarle, Dapoli, Ratnagiri on one hand and Dahanu, Umbergaon on the other hand besides of course whole of Mumbai area.

Managing and committee

President Dr. Ramdas Gujarathi Shri. Vivek Patki Vice President Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Chairman Vice Chairman (Administration) Dr. Ramdas Gujarathi Dr. L.N. Godbole Smt. Lalita Kulkarni Shri. Ravindra Mahajan Smt. Anuradha Gore Adv. Shirish Deshpande Shri. Nishikant Gurjar (Co-opted) Shri. Prabhakar Gavane Smt. Savita Donde Smt. Anita Khanolkar Shri Abhay Datar (Co-opted) Smt. Anjali Khare Smt. Smita Damle Smt. Anuradha Deshpande Smt. Jyoti Modak Shri. Ramchandra Damle Smt. Manasi Naik Smt. Mangala Gadgil Shri Rajendra Rane Smt. Shubhada Chaukar (Co-opted)

Vice Chairman (Distribution) Secretary (Distribution) Secretary (Administration) Treasurer Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

Member

Prof. Kamalakar Pendse (Invitee)

Objective

" To enrich the quality of life through sustainable consumption, to educate consumers, to create awareness and thus to empower them to fight against injustice "

Vission "To bring together consumers for a common cause and fight against injustice in order to protect the interest of consumer." Our Mission

" Grahak Hitay Grahak Sukhay" " "

Activities
Monthly distribution of grocery on no profit, no loss basis Distribution Chard Destribution Centers Products for distribution

* Distribution Centers: Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Pen and Vasai * Average number of Goods during : Approximately 90. * Monthly distribution : (Approximate total during the year-450) * Mark-up on purchases : Less than 8.50 % * Total number of groups participating in distribution : 2121

Panchayat Peth An innovative and unique movement to supply different types of quality goods to the society in general at reasonable prices at different locations, generally before Diwali. It also offers a platform to entrepreneurs for marketing their products. Turnover during 2009 was Rs.38.68 lacs. Regional Panchayat Peth specially for Students To meet the needs of school going children at reasonable prices. Organization Wing * Road Shows to create awareness among consumers. * Consumer Club : Seminars in schools to help students in becoming competent prospective consumers. * Programmes on radio and television. * Articles in newspapers.

Research and Protection Wing

a) Campaigns Say Tata to Reliance : To offer choice to consumers to choose their suppliers for electricity. * Oppose change in Packaging Law * Library * Oppose efforts to limit the Consumer Protection Act. * Lobbying to implement Essential Commodities Act for basic grain needs. b) Representation * Food Safety and standards Authority of India. * Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Authority * Advertisements Standards Council of India * National Consumer Protection Wing * Central Electricity Regulatory Commission c) Consumer Grievances Cells * To guide aggrieved consumers and help them in redressing their complaints free of cost. * Escalate the unresolved issues to Consumer Court. Felicitations * National Award for Consumer Protection 1990 * Vrittapatriya Grahak Prabhodhan Puraskar-2005 (For writing articles in different newspapers to create awareness among consumers.) * Jamnalal Bajaj Excellency Certificate 2009 (For adopting fair practices in the working.)

Complaint Guidance Cell

S.No Guidance Cell 1 Thane

Contact Details & Address Shahu Market, Near Ice Factory, Naupada, Thane Timing : Any Wednesday / Saturday, between 5.30 and 7 pm Ikra International School, Pooja Nagar, Near Rickshaw Stand, Mira Road (East) Timing : Sunday 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Tel : 7666956646 Ambar Tower, Gr. floor, Opp. RBI Staff Qrts.,

2 3

Mira Road Dahisar

Kandarpada, Dahisar (W) Timing : any Saturday between 6 and 8 p.m Below Keshavsut Flyover, Gala No. 13, Opp. Dadar Rly. Station, Dadar (West) Timing : Mon/Wed/Fri between 5 and 7 pm Near JVPD Market, Sant Dnyaneshwar Marg, Behind Cooper Hospital, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400 056. 5 Grahak Bhavan Timing : Monday, Wednesday, Friday between 2 pm and 5 pm. Aryan High School, 1st floor, Behind Roxy Cinema, JSS Road, Mumbai 400 004. Timing : Wednesday between 6.30 pm and 8 pm. Santacruz Mahila Mandal, Community Centre, Besant Marg, Santacruz (West), Mumbai 400 054. Timing : Every Tuesday between 5.30 pm and 7 p.m. Utkarsh Mandal, Utkarsh Mandal Chowk, Mahant Road, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai 400 057. Timing : Every Monday between 5.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ambar Tower, Ground Floor, Opp. RBI Staff Quarters, Kandarpada, Dahisar (West) Timing : Every Saturday between 6 pm and 8 pm. c/o Gholkar Classes, Veer Savarkar Nagar, Opp. Vasai Road Rly. Station, Vasai (West). 10 Vasai Timing : Every Sunday between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. General Education Academy School, Staff Room, 1st floor, Near Ambedkar Udyan, Opp. Chembur Rly. Station (East), Mumbai 400 071. Timing : Every Tuesday between 7 pm and 8 pm. 15, APMC Complex, Pen, Dist. Raigad 402 107. 12 Pen Timing : Every Tuesday & Friday between 4 pm and 6

Dadar

Girgaon

Santacruz (West) Vile Parle )(East)

Borivali

11

Chembur

pm c/o Shri Bhaskar Kanitkar, 483, Siddhai, At Hatale, Post Nagaon, Taluka Alibag, Dist. Raigad 13 Nagaon Timing : Every Monday, Wednesday,Friday between 10 am and 12 noon.

CASE STUDY, MGP vs RELIANCE ENERGY

Reliance Energy had slapped notices on its consumers in Mumbai demanding they pay an additional security deposit equal to three months' bills and threatened to disconnect their power supply if the order was unheeded. MGP objected to these developments and moved the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). The MGP sought invocation of section 142 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and urged the MERC to restrain Reliance Energy from collecting the additional security deposit. In its order the MERC restrained Reliance Energy from disconnecting power supply to consumers for nonpayment of additional security deposit.