(a) whether the Government has set up District Consumer Information Centres (DCIC) in all the States;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the period of its operation alongwith the amount spent and
consumers benefited therefrom;
(d) whether the Government has since decided to discontinue the scheme; and
(e) if so, the reasons therefor?
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) & (b): 103 District Consumer Information Centres have
been set up in 24 States/U.Ts. Statement giving the details of
these centres is enclosed as Annexure.
(c) : The scheme for Setting up DCIC was launched in the year
2000 and was discontinued in 2004. The total amount spent on the
Scheme so far is Rs.3,82,75,000/. 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 consumers, facilitate filing of complaints, liaise
with the District Weights and Measures authorities and to raise
consumers awareness.
(d) & (e): An Evaluation of the DCIC scheme was carried
out in 2004 in order to assess its impact. The decision to
close the scheme was taken on the basis of this Evaluation Report.