CONSUMER FIRST: Consumer can file complaint anytime from anywhere

Delegation meets Union Cabinet Minister

New Delhi, October 21, 2012: A delegation of office bearers of Federation of Consumer Organisations Punjab and National Forum for Consumer Rights met K. V. Thomas, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, during a Two Days National Conclave, organized to frame guidelines for amended consumer act to be presented in Lok Sabha, held recently at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The delegation comprised of Dr. Ajay Shahi – President, Dr. S. B. Pandhi – Organising Secretary, Dr. Sanjeev Uppal – General  Secretary, G.S. Panchhi – Secretary, Surinder Verma – Chairperson, Puneet Shahi – PRO. The delegation met Prof. K. V. Thomas, Pankaj Aggarwala IAS – Secretary Consumer Affairs Government of India, Indrani Thuraisingham, Secretary General – Consumer International, Okendra Singh, State Consumer Cabinet Minister of Mizoram and Mathura Prasad Mathur – State Consumer Cabinet Minister Uttranchal; and presented a memorandum of suggestions to be taken up as recommendations for amendments to Consumer Protection Act.

FCO demanded that a separate consumer department should be set up. The existing Food & Civil Supplies department is busy for more than 10 months in a year for procurement, dispatches and distribution procedures. FCO also demanded that certain powers be given to NGO's for simple consumer redressal at par with Panchayati Redressal System to reduce the burden on Consumer Forums.

Minister Prof. K.V. Thomas informed the delegation that from now onwards any consumer can file a complaint electronically any time. This service is to be added up with National Consumer helpline 1800-11-4000.

National Consumer survey 2012 presented by CUTS International, which was released by the honorable minister during this conclave, depicts that only 3% of Indian Consumers actually file a complaint either to the trader or to the company. Only 0.3% of Indian population actually present themselves in consumer courts as complainants. But the positive side is that at present the success rate of consumer redressal is more than 95% in National Commission, State Commission as well as in District Commission. As for as consumer awareness is concerned, it is almost 23% in urban area. But this awareness is very low in rural population which is only 12%. So, these features highlight that Center Government and State Governments should give more emphasis in promoting the consumer awareness in general and specially in rural areas. 

Federation of Consumer Organisations, Punjab demanded that a consumer helpline similar to the one at the center government level should also be started at state level and government should provide more aids to NGO's for effective promotion of Consumer awareness movement.