(a) whether the Government has set up Consumer Information Centres;
(b) if so, the details and the salient features thereof;
(c) the amount allocated by the Union Government for setting up of the said Centres during each of the last three years and the current year; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to set up more such centres during the current year?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN
THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K. V. THOMAS)
(a): Yes, 103 District Consumer Information Centres(DCIC) have been set up in 24
States/Uts during 2000 to 2004.The list of DCICs set up at Annexure `A`
(b): The main functions of DCIC are to disseminate information on consumer protection
not only to direct users but to all local bodies and institutions, act as watchdogs for
consumer, facilitate filing of complaints, liaise with the District Weights and Measures
authorities and to raise consumer awareness. The Scheme for setting up DCIC was launched
in the year 2000.
(c): The information is as under:
Year Grant released
2006-07 Rs 53,00,000
2007-08 Rs 12,08,900
2008-09 Nil
2009-10 (01-04-2009 to 31-07-2009 Rs 4,98,000