In spite of this dismisal scenario, the entitlements of health care, safe drinking water and sanitation as an inalienable element of the consumers Rights to Basic Needs cannot be denied. Feeling the need for more focussed action in the area of consumer safety, in 1993, CUTS established Safety Watch as an independent programme at its Calcutta Centre. To achieve the citizen's right to be protected against unsafe goods, services and environment, and to promote sustainable consumption and production, and provoke questioning and action. To strive for human safety, reduction of environmental hazards, responsible consumption, and public education through research, advocacy and networking.
Casualties are also very high.
In 1997, there was a steep rise in the number of accidents resulting in 70,000 deaths and about 300,000 injuries. In 1990, the number of deaths was about 46,000 while injuries about 200,000. In fact the number of deaths increased by 52 percent, rather than decrease at all. CUTS was nominated to the National Road Safety Council twice, and its first high level Ministerial Committee, which was established to formulate the National Road Safety Policy. BVO is an additive which is used in artificial citrus flavoured aerated drinks to give it the cloudy look, so that consumers are fooled into believing that it is the real thing.