Now, filing complaint is just a click away. Filing a complaint in a consumer court is going to get a lot easier by the end of this year, virtually. No matter which part of the country you're in, it's going to happen at the click of a mouse. The project, called confonet (Computerisation and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora), is being executed on a turnkey basis by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
'Online registration of complaints, the government hopes, will promote e-governance, transparency, efficiency and streamlining of consumer fora', said an official in the consumer affairs ministry. Of Rs. 48.64 crores set aside for the project, the government has released Rs. 30.56 crores so far, the officials added.' Besides software development and testing, networking and project implementation, integration and site preparation, it will include purchase of hardware for all the 583 district fora, 35 State Commissions and the National Commission', the official said.
At present, computer systems and system software have been delivered to 25 State Commissions and 300 district fora — never mind the fact that it's sometimes a long wait before the hardware is finally unpacked and set-up in some of the districts. Meanwhile, training of staff, sometimes in the classroom and sometimes through e-learning sessions, are in full swing.
'But just setting up an online complaint filing system won't ensure a strong consumer protection movement in the country -for that we're working on GenNext and the best way to do that is to go to schools', the official said. The government is, therefore, involving school children to form consumer clubs, so as to involve them in various consumer welfare activities.
Part of the funding for running the club is to come from various State Governments, with an equally matching grant from the centre. However, a number of State Governments are yet to sanction the fund - some of these include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.
What scenario of consumer protection do you foresee, when the measures proposed in the above news report are implemented?
Now, filing complaint is just a click away. Filing a complaint in a consumer court is going to get a lot easier by the end of this year, virtually. No matter which part of the country you're in, it's going to happen at the click of a mouse. The project, called confonet (Computerisation and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora), is being executed on a turnkey basis by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
'Online registration of complaints, the government hopes, will promote e-governance, transparency, efficiency and streamlining of consumer fora', said an official in the consumer affairs ministry. Of Rs. 48.64 crores set aside for the project, the government has released Rs. 30.56 crores so far, the officials added.' Besides software development and testing, networking and project implementation, integration and site preparation, it will include purchase of hardware for all the 583 district fora, 35 State Commissions and the National Commission', the official said.
At present, computer systems and system software have been delivered to 25 State Commissions and 300 district fora — never mind the fact that it's sometimes a long wait before the hardware is finally unpacked and set-up in some of the districts. Meanwhile, training of staff, sometimes in the classroom and sometimes through e-learning sessions, are in full swing.
'But just setting up an online complaint filing system won't ensure a strong consumer protection movement in the country -for that we're working on GenNext and the best way to do that is to go to schools', the official said. The government is, therefore, involving school children to form consumer clubs, so as to involve them in various consumer welfare activities.
Part of the funding for running the club is to come from various State Governments, with an equally matching grant from the centre. However, a number of State Governments are yet to sanction the fund - some of these include Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.
What scenario of consumer protection do you foresee, when the measures proposed in the above news report are implemented?
The following scenario of Consumer protection can be foreseen while measures proposed in the news report are implemented.
(i) The filing of the number of consumer complaints will increase due to ease in doing so.
(ii) The status and action taken can be monitored very easily.
(iii) The companies will also be more concerned not to indulge in unscrupulous activities and take an active part in consumer protection.
The following scenario of Consumer protection can be foreseen while measures proposed in the news report are implemented.
(i) The filing of the number of consumer complaints will increase due to ease in doing so.
(ii) The status and action taken can be monitored very easily.
(iii) The companies will also be more concerned not to indulge in unscrupulous activities and take an active part in consumer protection.
