Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Celebrates National Consumer Day 2018

India observed its National Consumer Day on December 24,2018 with the theme Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints to mark the enforcement of Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The observance is meant to create awareness about the importance of the consumer movement and assertion of consumers rights and responsibilities.

Sector-Wise Brekup of Cases in Forums

Objective

  • Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution held an event at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi presided over by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Commerce & Industry.
  • There was a need to prevent consumers detriment and exploitation.

Highlights of the Conference

  • Consumer is King, the Ministry is also trying to create an enabling environment for consumers to get the right goods and services at the right time and right place.
  • Quick disposal of cases is essential as justice delayed is justice denied and for this purpose quasi-judicial system is being strengthened and streamlined.
  • Deemed admissibility of complaints, mediation, and expansion of various definitions of unfair trade practices.
  • Model rules will enable state governments to adopt uniform recruitment rules, qualifications, selection procedure and salaries so as to get better qualified people for managing the consumer fora.

Press release note

  • This year the National Consumer Day is being observed at a crucial time when the Government is preparing to repeal the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and bring in a new Act with substantial changes that will holistically cover all aspects of consumer grievance redressal, streamline functioning of Consumer fora to meet future challenges for more effective consumer protection.
  • The new bill has been passed by Lok Sabha on 20th December, 2018 and is now pending approval from Rajya Sabha.
  • According to a press release, R. K. Agrawal, President of National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) addressed the participants.
  • Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs stated that new markets have brought new challenges for consumers who are now more aware of their rights due to constant efforts by Government campaign Jago Grahak Jago which has resulted in increased number of cases. Therefore, the theme timely disposal of consumer cases is most appropriate for celebration of National Consumer Day, 2018.
  • It was further informed that the new Consumer Protection Bill, 2018, will result in quicker disposal of consumer cases.

Key Initiatives by Secretary of Department of Consumer Affairs

Taken by the department to reduce costs and ensure timely redressal of consumer grievances:

  1. Strengthening of National Consumer Helpline with new software and additional counselors and Zonal Helplines in 6 zones. For regional language services. 480 major Companies including several e-commerce platforms have been roped in as convergence partners leading to speedy resolution of cases.
  2. Strengthening of Consumer Fora with new infrastructure and CONFONET which is about computer networking of consumer fora.
  3. NCDRC on directions of Supreme Court issued new Regulations making admission or rejection of cases in 21 days and pronouncing judgment in 45 days after final hearing. Model Rules have alsobeen framed for States to recruit qualified persons for District fora and State Commissions.
  4. The new Consumer Protection Bill, 2018 through Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and alternate dispute resolution mechanism through mediation and simplification of adjudication procedures will result in quick disposal of consumer cases.

Examrace Team at Aug 25, 2021