VOICE- Voluntary Organization In Interest of Consumer Education-is a voluntary action group, whose objective is to protect and further the interests of the consumer. The Group aims at not only making the consumer conscious of the malpractices perpetuated in the marketplace, but also at creating an awareness that organized efforts can overcome the helplessness of the individual consumer. It works towards informing the consumer of his/her rights, and motivating him/her to demand value for money. The organization was founded by teachers and students at the university of Delhi in the beginning of the academic year 1983-84. Till mid 1986. VOICE functioned as an unregistered voluntary consumer association. On 28 June 1986, it was registered as a Public Charitable Trust with noted jurist, Justice [retd.] V.M. Tarkunde and Prof. P.K. Ghosh of the Delhi School of Economics as founder donors and Dr. Sri Ram Khanna and Mr Rain Karanjawala as Trustees.
To apprise the consumer of his rights and motivate him/her regular columns authored by VOICE Team are published in newspapers and magazines like News time [Hyderabad] Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Punjab Kesari, Indian Express, Hindu, Sunday mail, Chauthi Duniya, The Sentinal, Adworld, and University Today. This ensures exposure on a national plane.
While serving on several official committees, VOICE has articulated consumer interest and continues to do so, as member of the Central Committee on Food Standards, Consumer Protection council [Delhi]. Electronics Test Lab advisory Committee, Committee on Urban Waste management, and the Committee on the Issue of Fluoride in Toothpaste and MSG in Foods. Representatives of VOICE have also participated in TV presentations and AIR Programmes on Consumer protection and misleading advertising, thus reaching wide cross-section of people.
VOICE has been pursuing a large number of cases at MRTP Commission, before law courts and Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum. Its case against TV manufacturers before the MRTP commission has resulted in the prosecution of 44 leading TV companies for overcharging the consumers. VOICE has fought court cases inviting corporate giants like Bata and ITC to protest against competitions [Bubble-gummers contest/Made for each other ads] designed to lure children and adults respectively. Throught court cases, VOICE has compelled soft-drink companies to state in every ad that their drinks are `artificially flavoured` and `contain no fruit juice or fruit pulp`. It won its case in the Supreme Court against out-of turn allotment of cars to VIPs by Maruti Udyog Ltd.
VOICE also renders free legal advice and guidance to its Consumer Associates to enable them fight their own cases in courts.
VOICE members have been participating in seminars, symposia and conferences organised by Government Departments and FICCI as well as sister consumer-groups/associations like consumer Education and Research Council [CERC], Ahmedabad. Besides, VOICE on its own and in collaboration with other consumer bodies has organised a number of seminars/and workshops to educate the consumer and involve him/her directly in the consumer movement.