Govt, industry join hands to protect consumers against misleading ads, spurious products

The Department of Consumer Affairs has entered into a partnership with the industry association to implement a six-point agenda to protect the rights of consumers against misleading advertisements, spurious and counterfeit products, and for effective redressal of consumer complaints.

Government will be signing separate memoranda of association with various industry associations in this regard tomorrow – on World Consumer rights day - in the presence of minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Ram Vilas Paswan.

The Department of Consumer Affairs is celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day 2016 tomorrow in solidarity with the International Consumer movement.

The MoUs will broadly cover the collaborative programmes on developing and implementing a self-regulated code of fair business practices, establishing a consumer affairs division/vertical within the industry body, initiating advocacy action against unfair trade practices and preventing fake, counterfeit and sub-standard products and services and adoption of voluntary standards by Industry members.

Earmarking of CSR funds for consumer awareness and protection activities, partnering with the National Consumer Helpline and State Consumer Helplines for grievance redressal; launching joint consumer awareness, education and training programmes under the `Jago Grahak Jago' will also be part of the agenda. A joint working group will monitor the implementation of agenda.

''Promoting and protecting the rights of consumers, requires active partnerships among all the stakeholders. The Department of Consumer Affairs and the Industry Associations – Assocham, CII, DICCI, Ficci and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry – have entered into partnership on consumer advocacy with a six point partnership agenda, covering three priority areas, namely, redressal of consumer grievances, enhancement of consumer awareness and protection and action against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products.

A self-regulation code of ethical business conduct and video spots on consumer advocacy by the industry bodies will also be released during the event. The joint initiatives of the government and the industry bodies will surely go a long way in protecting the interests of the consumers and will be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders, an official release stated.