(a) whether the Government has introduced any scheme in order to give impetus
to the consumer movement at child level for consumer welfare and protection
activities;
(b) if so, the salient features of the scheme;
(c) whether the Government also provide financial support for consumer
awareness activities under the said scheme; and
(d) if so, the details of the assistance given during each of the last three years,
State-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI TASLIMUDDIN)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. During the year 2003-2004, the Government has introduced a
scheme on consumer clubs to involve students to boost the consumer awareness
campaign in the country. The objectives of the Scheme are to educate children about the
rights of the consumer as provided in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, to mobilize
youngsters by instilling in them the spirit of protection of consumer rights and to
strengthen the consumer movement in the country. According to the Scheme, a
Consumer Club shall be set up in a middle/high/higher secondary school/college which is
affiliated to a Government recognized Board and shall consist of a minimum 50
members. Each Consumer Club shall be in the charge of an active teacher in the
concerned school. A group of not less than 20 and not more than 50 consumer clubs in
one or more geographically contiguous district will be serviced by a coordinating agency.
A well-established educational institution, a non-governmental voluntary organization or
a professional body shall be designated as the Coordinating Agency. The grant is
provided @ Rs.10,000/- per school.
(d) : The Consumer Clubs Scheme was introduced in the year 2003-04. The
details of the sanctions issued since 2003-04 (State-wise) are as under:
2003-04 Rs. in Lakhs
Delhi - 5.00 Andhra Pradesh - 72.70 Tripura - 02.70
2004-05
J&K - 15.30 West Bengal - 40.00 Maharashtra - 50.00 Orissa - 05.00