Rajasthan government has done some remarkable work in order to ensure the welfare of consumers. Back in 15th March 2017, the state received National Consumer Friendly State Award. It’s one of the three leading states in the country that has constituted Consumer Affairs Department for Consumer Protection.
As BJP has completed 4 years in the state, here are some actions taken by the government in an effort to establish consumer affairs as a separate department.
Allocation of Land
In order to hear and dispose of consumer-related problems, their all-around welfare, interest, protection, conservation, and promotion, a separate Consumer building is being set up for which a piece of land on the state headquarters has been allocated so that all consumer-related issues can be resolved under one roof. For the construction of this Consumer building (Upbhokta Bhawan), The State Road Development Corporation has been allotted as its construction agency.
Consumer Friendly state Award (Courtesy: Food Department Rajasthan)
Consumer Clubs
In almost 33 select colleges, new consumer clubs have been established so as to strengthen the consumer movement. Earlier in 2014, Rajasthan Consumer Welfare Fund was allotted to the already established clubs in secondary and higher secondary schools at the district level. A database was also prepared to compile information from all these clubs to facilitate the consumer moment.
Voluntary consumer organizations
In order to encourage the voluntary consumer organizations recognized by the department, financial assistance has been provided and new guidelines have also been issued.
Meeting held to discuss Voluntary Consumer Organisation (Courtesy: Food Department Rajasthan)
Consumer Help Line
The state consumer helpline was started in 2011 to provide immediate relief to the consumers and to address their grievances. In order to facilitate its functioning, the counselors give free guidance and resolve all consumer-related issues. The helpline number 18001806030 is activated from Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Between March 2011 and October 2017, a total of 39932complaints have been registered.
Consumer Awareness Campaign
The consumer awareness campaign was linked to Jal Swavlamban Yojna and the printed material was distributed to the consumers. The department has also published pamphlets for empowering consumers and a special broadcast of 5 episodes has been made by the department to promote the consumer rights.
Strengthening State and District Level Consumer Dispute Redressal Forums
In order to strengthen consumer dispute redressal forums at the state and district levels, proposals worthINR 16.66 Crores were sent to the Government of India. Administrative and financial sanction of INR 19.67 Lakhs was released for construction of district forums in Jodhpur and Udaipur. Besides, all these state and district forums have been computerized which has eased the handling of pending letters and decision making.
