The Department of Consumer Affairs will celebrate World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, 2023, with the theme “Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions”. This event showcases the commitment to creating a more sustainable and consumer-friendly ecosystem. Additionally, India observes 24th December as the National Consumer Day every year.
Moving Towards Clean Energy
A crucial goal for the Department is to utilize technology in order to lessen reliance on traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels. The focus is on enabling a swift shift towards clean energy solutions that provide long-term sustainability, security, affordability, and access to consumers.
National Consumer Helpline: Resolving E-commerce Grievances
E-commerce is increasingly becoming a popular mode of shopping for consumers. However, the rise in e-commerce has also led to an increase in the number of complaints received by the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). To cope with this surge, the NCH is enhancing its technological capacity to graciously handle more complaints and quickly resolve issues like refund, replacement, and service deficiencies. The helpline serves as a pre-litigation dispute resolution mechanism and offers services in over 17 languages, including recently added Maithili, Kashmiri, and Santhali.
Facilitating Online Complaint Filings With E-Daakhil Portal
The E-Daakhil Portal has been developed to simplify the process of online filing of consumer complaints. The portal allows consumers to easily approach the relevant consumer forum without needing to travel or be physically present, thus ensuring a hassle-free, quick and inexpensive service. The objective is to make the justice system more accessible for consumers by leveraging technology.
Protecting Consumers With the Right to Repair Portal
Following the ethos of the LiFE (Lifestyle for environment) movement, the Department is working on creating a “Right to Repair portal”. This aims to shield consumers against planned obsolescence, which contributes to the rising e-waste. The portal is projected to tackle concerns regarding the price, authenticity, and warranty of spare parts.
Strategies for Reducing E-Waste
The Department is also planning to conduct a hackathon aimed at designing charging solutions compatible with wearable devices, keeping a focus on reducing electronic and electrical waste (e-waste) and fostering a sustainable consumer ecosystem. Furthermore, wireless charging methods are being investigated as potential measures to curb e-waste proliferation.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
An example question from the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2012 asked about consumers’ rights/privileges under Indian law:
Q.1 With reference to ‘consumers’ rights/privileges under the provisions of law in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
Consumers are empowered to take samples for food testing. When a consumer files a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid. In case of death of a consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his/her behalf.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Source: PIB
