(a) whether the Government allocates funds for undertaking campaigns to create awareness
about consumer rights;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the funds allocated and utilised during each
of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(c) whether the consumer awareness movement has been adversely affected due to the paucity
of funds despite the fact that huge amounts lay unutilised; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS,
FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K. V. THOMAS)
(a): Yes Madam
(b): After enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, a Consumer Welfare Fund was created in 1992
with the objective to promote and protect the interests and rights of the consumers and to strengthen
the consumer movement in the country.
Under the Plan Scheme ,funds are released to States/UTs to set up State Consumer Helpline at the State level.
Under the Non-Plan Scheme ,funds are released to Research institutes, Law Universities/ Colleges leading
voluntary consumer organizations directly (but not through states) to undertake research activities,
mediation and advisory services, comparative testing of consumer products and services and also to
implement innovative/ pilot projects and other consumer related activities. Besides funds as central
share under seed money scheme are allocated to States to set up consumer clubs and to also to undertake
various consumer related programmes at State level through VCOs located in the respective states.
Funds allocated and utilized during the last 3 years including the current year under Plan
Scheme (State wise)and under Non-Plan scheme (projects location wise) are at annexure-I & II
respectively.
Under another “Plan Scheme†of consumer awareness, Government is running a multi-media publicity compaign
“Jago Grahak Jago†to make consumers aware about their rights and responsibilities. As a part of this
scheme, grant-in-aid is given to States/UTs for carrying out activities for consumer awareness. Funds
released under the above scheme during the last 3 years, Statewise is at Annexure-III.
(c): No Madam
(d): Does not arise.