Make Others Aware Along with Yourself : ACS Mrs. Shami

We all are consumers in one way or another, but we are not aware of our rights. It is our responsibility to make others in society aware along with ourselves. Additional Chief Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Rashmi Arun Shami, expressed this view at the state-level program organized in Bhopal on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day.

Mrs. Shami said that currently, most purchases are being made through e-platforms. Consumers should know what actions can be taken if they do not receive quality products. Cases up to ₹50 lakh are heard in district consumer protection courts, cases from ₹50 lakh to ₹2 crore in the state consumer protection commission, and cases above this amount in the national consumer protection commission. If consumers are dissatisfied with a decision, they can appeal at the next level within 45 days. She urged social organizations to continue raising consumer awareness.

Madhya Pradesh State Food Commission Chairman Mr. V.K. Malhotra emphasized that consumer awareness and sensitivity among those implementing policies are very important. He also discussed “nut-bolt performance.”

Registrar of the Madhya Pradesh Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Mr. Shobhit Jain, stated that similar workshops should be organized at the division and district levels to raise awareness among consumers. He also emphasized educating consumers about a sustainable future and green footprints.

Food Commissioner Mr. Karmveer Sharma mentioned that an online hearing system has been implemented in consumer courts, allowing consumers to participate in hearings from home. He also provided information about consumer rights.

The guests awarded the Indore-based consumer awareness organization “Jagruk Upbhokta Samiti” with the first prize of Rs 1,11,000 and the “Akhil Bharatiya Utthan Sangathan” from Satna with the second prize of Rs 51,000 for their significant contributions to consumer awareness.

In the state-level essay competition on consumer rights, the first prize of Rs 6,000 was awarded to Mr. Dharendra Meravi from Government Higher Secondary School, Birsa, Balaghat District. The second prize of Rs 4,000 was given to Mr. Pawan Takatode from Government High School No. 19, Naya Basera, and the third prize of Rs 2,000 along with a certificate was awarded to Miss Heeral Dasondhi from Kristina Convent Higher Secondary School, Mhowgaon, Indore District.

Similarly, in the poster competition, the first prize of Rs 6,000 was awarded to Miss Poonam Bodde from Government Primary School No. 19, Naya Basera, Indore District. The second prize of Rs 4,000 was awarded to Miss Jharna Rahangdale from Government Higher Secondary School, Birsa, Balaghat District, and the third prize of Rs 2,000 was awarded to Miss Sejal Tekam from PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School, Baihar, Balaghat District.

On this occasion, the guests also visited exhibitions organized by various departments related to consumer awareness. The Weights and Measures Department’s exhibition was awarded the first prize, the Warehousing Department’s exhibition received the second prize, and the Food and Drug Administration’s exhibition was given the third prize.