The Federation of Consumer Organisations of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, well known by its acronym, FEDCOT, is a nation-wide non-governmental organisation that is voluntary non-profitable, non-political, civic-minded, secular and registered under Societies Act (Registration Number 227/90) to work for the promotion and development of consumers’ interest and their welfare. Freedom fighter R.R.Thalavai was responsible for the founding of the organisation in 1990.

It is an umbrella body of more than 350 registered consumer associations in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. It is one of the largest consumer organisations in the country and in Asia working at grass-roots level. It embraces people from different walks of life. It is significant that sixty percentage of the member councils are in rural areas.

FEDCOT is a consumer movement of the people, by the people and for the people. It is concerned with human values.

Vision of FEDCOT

‘Quality of life’. Its main concern is not only value for money but also quality of life. Achieving this quality of life is FEDCOT’s long-term vision.

Area of operation of FEDCOT

FEDCOT which started with just eighteen member units in 1990 has grown in to a massive organisation with more than 350 member councils as of January 2004. It functions in all the thirty revenue districts of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. These districts are divided into seven regions for the organisational purpose.

Organisational structure

FEDCOT is a democratic set-up. The general body and executive committee take policy decisions. The management consists of seven members to look after the day-to-day affairs of the organisation. Its Structure is outlined below.

To identify and deal with the issues various directorates are formed. They are :

• Training
• Agriculture
• Food and Public Distribution
• Women Welfare and concern
• Public utilities
• Maintenance of Standards and Quality
• Environment and its protection
• Local Self-Governance
• Health
• Legal aspects and
• Membership enrolment

Training Directorate is the nodal body to co-ordinate the activities of all other directorates. It organises se-inars, workshops, campaigns, etc. with the member councils at the district level, zonal level and implements the FEDCOT’s policies and programmes at the grass-roots level. There are two district co-ordinators in each district of whom one is a woman. The co-ordinators act as a bridge between member councils and the managing committee.

Mission of FEDCOT

FEDCOT acts as a research, training, education, awareness creating and advocacy group. It builds linkages and works in partnership with community-based organisations and grass-roots communities to strengthen their capacity and empower them to participate through initiatives in socio-economic accountable governance, sustainable agriculture, gender equalisation and ecological endeavours.

Objectives

• To promote a network of organisations working for consumer awareness and for the promotion of consumers interest.
• To strengthen the growth of the organised consumer movement in India.
• To resolve consumer issues and educate on the rights and responsibilities of consumers.
• To promote through the purchasing power of consumers a “need–oriented development” that will ensure socio- economic justice and environmental quality of life for all.
• To identify issues and to pool resources for campaign, lobbying and policy advocacy.
• To provide relevant and updated information.
• To maintain liaison with the governments at the Centre and the State.

Focus

FEDCOT’s programmes are designed and implemented so as to train people as citizen – consumers, to develop and empower them at the community level through participating accountable governance, socio-economic, sustainable agriculture gender equality and environmental efforts, to facilitate access to, and management of, resources for people to develop their full potential and expand their choices in accordance with their needs and interests. Since its inception, FEDCOT has been focusing its attention on the following areas.

Training

Training consumer activists at the taluk and district level to create awareness among them about various issues concerning consumers using participatory methodology. It is a continuous process.

Research

To generate knowledge, collect information and use innovation to support consumer education, protection and sustainable people centred development process.

Advocacy

Campaign through seminars, workshops and media for better and stronger consumer protection legislation, strengthening the position of women and children in the society and sustaining clean and healthy environment.

Empowerment

Developing projects in partnership with vulnerable sections of society such as workers, women, children and farmers through : food security, health, consumer education programmes.

Networking

FEDCOT networks with various organisations at the local State, national and international levels.

Documentation

Building up a huge reference library, publication of books, reports, articles relating to consumers laws, trade, food, accountable governance, human rights, etc.