Mangaluru : M J Salian President of federation of consumer associations, Mangaluru, on Wednesday announced that online consumer mediation centres are being opened in the State to ensure speedy redressal of grievances.

Addressing the gathering during world consumers day celebrations, at Netravathi auditorium of the zilla panchayat here, Salian said, one such centre is opened at the National Law College, Bengaluru.

Salian said, with the increasing fad for online shopping, there is also a rise in complaints and hence the online mediation centres are being opened to attend to the complaints in a jiffy.

Salian said, though the consumer protection Act 1986 is three decades old majority of consumers are unaware of it, hence they end up being cheated. However, efforts are being made to create awareness among the younger generation by encouraging setting up of consumer clubs at school and college level. The district already has around 60 odd consumer clubs, he added.

The zilla panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi offered to publish significant judgments related to the cases and document the same so people could refer to them and know more about the laws. Ravi felt that given the current situation of the society, empowerment will take a backseat unless such judgments are documented.

He also regreted that even after three decades of introducing the Act, there has not been sufficient awareness created among people.

While referring the district as education hub, Ravi said that the number of eco clubs are still low.

Certificates were distributed to students from several schools and colleges for completing certificate course on consumer education.