Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal launches various initiatives for protection of consumer rights

Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles Shri Piyush Goyal launches various initiatives for protection of consumer rights

Mumbai, March 15, 2024

 

On the Occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, 2024, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal ceremonially inaugurated a number of initiatives taken by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA), Government of India, at a function organized in Mumbai today. The programme centered on this year’s theme “Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers”. It reflected DoCA’s primary thrust on deployment of technology with an aim to raise awareness about the importance of ethical and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the realm of consumer affairs to revolutionize how goods and services are accessed, consumed, and evaluated. 

   

The various initiatives launched on the occasion are as follows: 

Two books which were released by Union Minister Shri Goyal are:

Shri Goyal also felicitated the winners of Dark Patterns Buster Hackathon 2023, which was launched by DoCA in collaboration with IIT (BHU) to foster a digital ecosystem that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and consumer welfare. 

The Minister also felicitated the winners of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Government Law Collage, Pondicherry University Moot Court Competition. The competition was divided into 4 stages and 55 teams with 165 participants representing 10 States/UTs of India and focused on issue of product liability and endorsement liability. 

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, said World Consumer Rights Day, observed annually on March 15th, serves as an enthusiasm for the champions of rights of consumers globally and provides an opportunity to highlight crucial issues affecting them. He said that this day is about making consumers more aware about their duties and rights. The Union Minister said that this year’s theme for World Consumer Rights Day which is ‘Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers’ is very apt and opined that if Artificial Intelligence is used in the right spirit, then it may bring about good changes in various works and lives of people. AI is a sword that cuts both ways, he said. He opined that AI provides an opportunity that India should seize and urged all youngsters to expand their knowledge about AI. 

The initiatives launched today will not only empower consumers but will secure their interests and safeguard their rights, stated Shri Goyal. He further said that PM Shri Narendra Modi has always held consumers’ interest as paramount in policy-making. Consumers’ satisfaction should be the prime motive of every business, industry or trade, he urged. 

He expressed happiness about the issuance of Consumer Rights Framework and said that it will help consumers to know their rights and the steps being taken by the Government to ensure that they are protected from unfair trade practices and making those who deliver goods and services responsible for their actions. He stated that weighing scales and weights were available even in the days of Indus Valley Civilization. India’s legal metrology has emerged in the ancient times, he added. He also reminded the citizens that rights come with duties and responsibilities.

Shri Goyal also stated that DoCA is working towards creating a precedent of fast paced action oriented governance. This will ensure that the country does not face the problem of price rise in future. The New India is moving from consumer protection to consumer prosperity, he added. 

The Minister explained that PM has guaranteed that that a Viksit Bharat will be seen by 2047. The Viksit Bharat or Developed India will have a special place for its traditions. Our heritage and past teaches us a lot, he added. The Minister further added that now the government does not work in silos and there is a whole government approach. When the whole government works, the whole nation benefits. 

The Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Rural Development, Smt. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti virtually participated in the function and emphasized on “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwaas and Sabka Prayas”. The MoS said that with the rapid development of technology and growth in e-commerce, consumer are susceptible to new risks and challenges and hence effective and timely disposal of cases is utmost necessary for protection and promotion of consumer rights. 

The dignitaries present on the occasion included Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs Shri Rohit Kumar Singh, Officer on Special Duty Smt. Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Sh. Bharat Harbanslal Khera, Joint Secretary Sh. Anupam Mishra, senior officers of the Department, Presidents and Members of Consumer Commissions, Vice Chancellors of various National Law Universities, Stakeholders from States/UTs, industry associations and various consumer organizations.