Question : Consumer Welfare Fund

(a) the aims and objectives for setting up Consumer Welfare Fund;
(b) whether the Government has achieved the objective for which the fund has been set up, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to revise the guidelines for Consumer Welfare Fund to suit to the present day requirements, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any action has been taken against the agencies/organizations availing benefits from consumer welfare fund but not engaging in any activity for consumer welfare during the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(e) whether the Government also plans to set up Consumer Welfare Funds at State level to increase the coverage and horizon of disseminating relevant information to the consumers and if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated/utilized for the said purpose; and
(f) the details of the other steps taken by the Government to promote and protect the welfare of the consumers by creating awareness and strengthening consumer movements in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c) : Consumer Welfare Fund(CWF) was created in 1992 with the objective of providing financial assistance to promote and protect the welfare of the consumer, create consumer awareness and strengthen consumer movement in the country, particularly in rural areas. The Consumer Welfare Fund Guidelines was framed in 1993 and revised in 2007 and then in 2014 to suit to the present day requirements.

(d) : Out of the agencies/organisations funded from Consumer Welfare Fund during the last three years and the current year, no agency/organisation was found which has availed benefits from Consumer Welfare Fund but has not carried out activities for consumer welfare.

(e) : The Consumer Welfare Fund at the State level is being set up by contribution by the Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25(which is 90:10 in the case of special category States). A total of 14 State Governments have set up their State Consumer Welfare Fund. The Centre’s share released to these States is as per details given at Annexure.





(f) : To protect and promote the interest of the consumers, the Department has been conducting a countrywide multimedia awareness campaign through Bureau of Outreach & Communication (BOC), Doordarshan Network (DD), All India Radio (AIR), Lok Sabha TV (LSTV) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on various issues related to consumer rights and responsibilities across diverse subjects. To create awareness amongst the people living in rural & backward areas, the Government is also taking part in important fairs/festivals/exhibitions.

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