Consumer Protection & Guidence Society, Kerala, India

MarginFreeMarket

CONSUMER PROTECTION & GUIDANCE SOCIETY
T.C 28/1963,RAMASWAMY KOIL STREET
P.B.NO.5014, FORT P.O
TRIVANDRUM- 695 023. FAX:0471-453740

During the last Six years a price increase of essential commodities by 100 to 200% has been a regular feature. Some of the citizens in Trivandrum City thought of organising a forum which could help the consumers in their day to day needs. This is the back ground of the formation of Consumer Protection & Guidance Society registered in the year 1993. It is the policy of the Society to give full support to Government, in controlling the price of essential commodities. Among other things the Society has given importance to open a venue where the consumers can get products at reasonable rates . The idea of "Margin Free" programme came up as a first step, based on these ends in view.The Margin Free Market is a co-operative venture of the Consumer Protection & Guidance Society and the management, which came forward to take up the responsibility of launching it. The First Margin Free Market, Fort, Trivandrum was inaugurated on 26 th January 1994 by the Hon. Dist. Collector Nivethitha P Haran. Later , one Margin Free Market Bakery Jn, Trivandrum was inaugurated on 10th December 1997 by the Hon. Principal Secretary, Finance, Sri.Vinod Rai, IAS and one more at Padmavilasam Road, Fort by Hon. Collector in charge, Smt.C.A. Latha on 19th Oct 1998. Hon.Civil Supplies Minister Sri.E.CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR inaugurated the fourth MARGIN FREE MARKET at Alwaye on 20th December 1998. Provisions ,Toiletaries, Presentaion Articles, Kitchen wares, plasticgoods, fan, Mixi, Pressure Cooker etc, are being sold at reduced rates variying from 1 to 40% less than the maximum retail price fixed by thecompanies. The society could create an awareness among the people which has resulted in opening a few Margin Free Shops at different parts of Kerala on their own accord. Charitable work like providing help to physically handicapped inmates of Chesire Home, Orphanages etc. are also undertaken. SOME OF OUR ACHEIVEMENTS

       1.   Relief to some extent could be provided to the consumers by
            allowing price reduction.
       2.   We could create an awareness on the advantages of the Margin
            Free Programme.
       3.   Provided employment directly or indirectly to a section of
            the unempolyed living below poverty line through Margin Free
            Markets.
       4. Provided relief to some extent to the orphans and other weaker
           sections of society.

On 21st December 1998, worshipful Cochin Mayor Sri. SomasekharaPanicker inaugurated our Cochin Unit at Sadanam Road, Ernakulam.

Sri. M.Balachandran Chairman, GCDA, has inaugurated our Edappally Branch

On 27/9/1999, Sri. N.A. Ali, Municipal Chairman of Paravoor inaugurated the Paravoor Unit.