Directorate of Information & Publicity
Government of NCT of Delhi

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION & PUBLICITY  
GOVERNMENT OF DELHI
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• Delhi govt to promote alternate modes for resolving consumer disputes

New Delhi: 23/12/2016

Delhi Government on Friday conducted a workshop on the theme “Alternative Dispute Resolution for Quick Redressal of Consumer Disputes” in Main Conference Hall, Delhi Secretariat on the eve of the National Consumer Day.

The National Consumer Day is celebrated every year on 24th December. This is the day when President of India gave assent to the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and since then every year on 24th December National Consumer Day is celebrated.

Consumer Affairs Minister Imran Hussain in his inaugural speech stressed on the need for greater adoption of alternative dispute redressal mechanism for resolution of consumer related grievances. He appealed to the people that consumer should try to get their consumer related grievances resolved through alternate dispute resolution mechanism.

The Minister stated that this will help in reducing the workload of cases on the justice delivery system on one hand and at the same time help in resolving consumer disputes in simple and speedy manner. This will also help government in augmenting its revenue as people will ensure that they obtain the bills/receipts while buying products.

The Minister thanked Smt. Veena Birbal, Chairperson, Delhi State Consumer Commission, Commissioner (Consumer Affairs), Special Commissioner (Consumer Affairs), Controller (Legal Metrology), Government of NCT of Delhi and the officials of Consumer Affairs Department for making earnest efforts for protection of consumer rights. He also stressed that greater number of NGO should be involved in generating awareness regarding consumer rights. He also requested Consumer Affairs Department to organize workshop on consumer rights in schools so that the children become aware about their rights at a very young age.

Smt. Veena Birbal, Chairperson, States Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission speaking in the workshop informed about the alternative mechanisms in Delhi available to consumers, Panel Discussions and Nukkad Natak were also organised informing audiences about the Consumer Forums Alternate Grievance Redressal Mechanism, Mediation & Concilation Centre, Lok Adalat etc.

Commissioner (Food & Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs) also spoke in the workshop.

To protect the rights of the Consumer, one State Consumer Commission and 10 District Consumer Forums are functional in Delhi. There are two benches of State Commission. The State Consumer Dispute Grievance Redressal Commission is headed by Chairperson and there are two members in each of the benches. The District Consumer Forum has headed by President and has two members each.

Delhi Government has recently approved additional staff for the benches. Delhi is divided into 11 revenue districts and presently there are only 10 District Consumer Forums. Therefore Department of Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is in the process of setting up one additional District Consumer Forums.

The National Consumer Day provides an opportunity to educate the consumers about their rights and also for the mechanism for resolving the grievances. The Consumer Affairs Department of Government of NCT of Delhi is the nodal Department for consumer awareness, protection and welfare. Protection of consumer rights and redressal of grievances stands at the top of the governance agenda of the Delhi government. 

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