Leaders and members of the Mizoram Consumers’ Union, Invitees, participants, dear friends.
I am very happy to be with you today at the 27th Annual General Meeting of the Mizoram Consumers’ Union (MCU).
I have learnt that the MCU is a community - based State - level Voluntary Consumer Organization, established in 1995.
I have been told that the MCU is recognized by Government of Mizoram, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and is also included in the list of Directory of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
I appreciate the fact that the main objective of the MCU is to protect the rights of consumers as enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and its related Rules and Regulations.
I applaud the MCU for assisting consumers in filing cases at the District and the State Commissions. I also understand that the MCU has been tirelessly advocating for the implementation of home delivery of LPG cylinders.
I congratulate the MCU for taking the initiative to establish Consumer Organizations in all the districts; as well as Consumer Clubs in different high schools, higher secondary schools and colleges, to impart consumer rights among the youth.
The Union Government has implemented various measures to safeguard consumer interests.
The Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has been undertaking consumer protection efforts in India.
To keep pace with e-commerce and online platforms, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted to replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The new Act expanded the definition of ‘consumer’ to include individuals engaging in online purchases or services.
Moreover, it defined advertisements to encompass all forms of publicity, including those on electronic media and the internet.
The Act also established the Central Consumer Protection Authority to regulate matters that harm consumers.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, has positioned the BIS as the National Standards Body. The Act also introduced consumer protection measures, including product recalls and penalties.
Further, to ensure accuracy of measurement in commercial transaction, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 has been enacted.
The Department of Consumer Affairs has been conducting nationwide multimedia awareness campaigns under the title “Jago Grahak Jago” to promote consumer awareness. These campaigns deliver simple messages to educate consumers.
The strategy behind this initiative is designed to conduct an effective and comprehensive consumer awareness campaign that reaches urban, rural, and remote areas.
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has become a key tool for consumers seeking to address their grievances.
Available in 17 languages, the helpline allows consumers to register complaints via the toll-free number 1915.
Further, the NCH is rolling out the NCH 2.0 initiative, which incorporates advanced technologies to streamline complaint handling.
Complaints can also be filed through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM) portal, which provides multiple channels such as WhatsApp, SMS, email, etc.
These are just a few of the initiatives that have been taken by the Government to protect consumer rights in India.
I once again applaud voluntary consumer organizations such as the MCU for their noble work, and I urge them to keep up the good work.
With these few words, I encourage the gathering to strive hard for the protection of the six basic consumer rights, which are:-
1. The Right to Safety
2. The Right to Be Informed
3. The Right to Choose
4. The Right to Be Heard
5. Right to Seek Redressal, and
6. Right to Consumer Education.
Thank you. Jai Hind.
