CONSUMER AWARENESS

Adani compelled to supply power at Rs 2.35/unit
Electrifying cost 

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), Delhi, has directed Adani Power Ltd (APL) to continue electricity supply to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) at Rs 2.35 per unit. In February 2007 both parties had signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) wherein APL agreed to supply 1000 MW of power to the GUVNL at Rs 2.35 per unit for 25 years without any price escalation. In January 2009, however, the APL informed the GUVNL, that it could not supply power at the price mentioned using imported coal and therefore wanted to terminate the PPA.

The GUVNL filed a petition before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC). CERS filed an application to join this petition as ‘intervenor’ to protect the interest of electricity consumers of Gujarat. CERS mentioned that the PPA did not mandate the procurement of fuel from a particular supplier so APL was bound to supply 1000 MW at the price mentioned by using fuel procured from any supplier. After a number of hearings, the commission directed the APL to implement the PPA.

Adani power challenged the order before APTEL which dismissed the appeal. Meanwhile, Adani has filed this matter before Supreme Court of India.

Consumer’s intervention

Broke Bond Red Label Natural Care Tea

Making uncertain claims 

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), the owner of ‘Broke Bond’ tea brand, advertised its ayurvedic recipe of immunity and health and claimed that its ‘Red Label Natural Care Tea’ helps to protect you and your family from cold, cough and flu.  Drinking three cup of the tea daily helps enhance one’s immunity, it added. The claims were impressive, but CERS was not satisfied. They wrote to the advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). 

ASCI upheld their complaint as the ad contravened Chapter I.1 of the ASCI Code. The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of ASCI concluded that the claims of Broke Bond Red Label Natural Care Tea were not sustained adequately. Meanwhile, the HUL has assured ASCI that the ad has been suspended and it will be modified appropriately.

Immunity factor didn’t work

Arsenic in drinking water raises safety concerns

Also, protect the unborn child 

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water containing 10 parts per billion (PPB) of arsenic is safe. However, a study conducted at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Massachusetts found that arsenic in drinking water is linked to serious health problems. Researchers gave water containing 10ppb arsenic to pregnant and lactating mice then monitored the development of their pups. It was found that the pups grew more slowly than the ones whose mothers were given arsenic free water.

Humans and mice show significantly different responses to arsenic, but the results are still important because the adverse health effects observed here do raise serious concerns according to another researcher at University of Manchester, UK.

Is your drinking water safe?

Food safety tribunal in Gujarat soon

Foodie check

Ahmedabad will soon have the State’s first food safety tribunal which will help food safety inspectors to keep quality checks on food sold in the city. It will also pin down the defaulters who make false claims about the nutritional value of their products. The tribunal has become mandatory with the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 being implemented.

The tribunal will look into cases where defaulters are caught selling food that is not of the nature or substance or quality as demanded. It will also hear cases of substandard and misbranded food and misleading advertisements. Some other areas which the tribunal will look into include food adulterants, unsanitary processing or manufacturing of food, offences by companies and compensation in case of injury or death of consumer.

The Tribunal will comprise presiding officer, chaired by a retired district judge and six other members.

Cheap, yet healthy