Karnataka - Bangalore   

Funds for consumer rights may be granted

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 15. The Food and Civil Supplies Minister, T.B. Jayachandra, said here on Monday that the Department of Food and Civil Supplies needed more funds to create awareness about consumer rights.

Speaking at a function organised by the department to observe World Consumer Rights day, he said the department also needed more powers.

Mr. Jayachandra said consumers should be made aware of their rights.

The Government was planning to provide funds to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and encourage them to take up issues related to consumer rights. "We plan to divert funds that are not used for the purpose they were set aside. We also had a discussion on this issue with the Union Ministry," he said.

"Consumers get cheated at all levels. Spurious products are available in the domestic market," he said. Some imported goods were also spurious. The popularity of Chinese goods had gradually come down as people had now realised that they were of poor quality, he said and added that it was difficult for the department to stop adulteration of edible products.

The media should play a vital role in creating awareness among consumers, and more NGOs should campaign for the cause of consumers. "Our aim is to ensure that consumers are themselves able to assess the quality of products and the service of the manufacturers," he added.

The Managing Director of the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, T.Y. Nayaz Ahmed, the Commissioner of Civil Supplies, B.H. Anil Kumar, the Director of the Legal Metrology Department, Muddu Mohan, V.K. Someshekar of Grahak Shakti, and consumer rights activists were present.

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