Consumer Related Agencies

Agencies involved in Consumer Protection

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

State Consumer Protection Council, Government of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department District Administration and District Consumer Protection Council Consumer Courts Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India Other departments of State and Central Government

1.

State Consumer Protection Council

State Government has allocated the responsibility of Consumer Protection to the Ministry of Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection headed by Secretary to Government, Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, under the charge of Honble Minister for Food & Consumer Protection. The Ministry is responsible for laying down policy for the functions of the Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department. A State level Consumer Protection Council, as provided for under section 7 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, has been constituted under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Minister for Food & Consumer Protection. This Committee has responsibility to protect consumers as provided for under section 6 and 8 of the CP Act.

2.

Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection department

Commissioner of Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection is assisted by one Joint Commissioner, one Deputy Commissioner, one Assistant Commissioner. A separate Consumer Protection Section headed by a Superintendent with 4 Assistants works in the Office of the Commissioner, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department situated at Ezhilagam Main Building, 4th Floor, Chepauk, Chennai-5.

3.

District Administration and District Consumer Protection Council

At district level the District Consumer Protection Council functions as per section 8A Consumer Protection Act, 1986 with District Collector as Chairperson. Both the councils are having Service providing Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Voluntary Consumer Organisations, Public Representatives etc. as its members. Regular

meetings are being conducted in order to discuss and to decide on the modalities for improved Government Services besides finding out measures for protecting rights of consumers from unethical trade practices. District Administration works in close coordination with Voluntary Consumer Associations, consumer clubs, self help groups, etc., in achieving organizational mission and objectives.

District Supply Officer of districts other than Chennai and Deputy Commissioners of North and South in Chennai District have been designated as District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Officer (Chennai) respectively. They are carrying out consumer awareness and education programmes as per the policy laid down by Government of Tamil Nadu.

4.

Consumer Courts

Most districts have a District Consumer Forum (DCF) headed by a a President. Appeal against the orders of the the DCF lies with State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) at Chennai. The SCDRC also has certain original jurisdiction based on the value of the complaint. Appeal against the orders of the SCDRC lies with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

5.

Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India

Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs lays down broad policy and works with other key central government departments and agencies in upholding rights of consumers. Several schemes like Consumer Club Scheme, Helpline scheme, Centre for Consumer Resources and Empowerment (CORE), etc.., have been launched by the DCA for raising the awareness amongst consumers. DCA also acts as a nodal agency for the Consumer Protection Act and Consumer Courts.

6.

Other departments of State and Central Government

Departments of the Central Government such as the Drug Controller General of India, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Bureau of Indian Standards, Stock Exchange Bureau of India, Telecom Regulatory Authority, of India (TRAI), Competition Commission of India (CCI), etc., also play a key role in upholding the interests of consumers in respective sectors.

Similarly, in the State Government, there are a number of departments such as Controller of Legal Metrology, Department of Public Health, Police department, Local Bodies, etc., that play a major role in consumer protection the respective areas.

A detailed table of agencies that may be contacted by consumers depending on the grievance involved has been tabulated for use by consumers,.under

Consumer Policy
The State Government has proposed an ambitious action plan as part of its policy initiatives which include: Operating a State level Consumer Information Centre Conducting Consumer Education programmes through AIR, TV and pint media Spreading awareness among children through formation and promotion of consumer clubs in Educational Institutions Regular conducting of seminars, workshops and interactions with Voluntary Consumer Organisations, Service providers stake holders on consumer issues Legal intervention on behalf of consumers in important issues to protect their interests as contemplated under Consumer Protection Act, 1986 Quality testing of product and services to assess and to initiate remedial measures for any unfair trade practices and issue alerts Sustainable consumption campaign amongst all segments of the public ORGANIZATION The State Government has allocated the responsibility of Consumer Protection to the Ministry of Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection headed by Secretary to Government, Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, under the charge of Honble Minister for Food & Consumer Protection. The Ministry is responsible for laying down policy for the functions of the Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection functioning under the leadership of Principal Commissioner assisted by one Joint Commissioner, one Deputy Commissioner, one Assistant Commissioner. A separate section

viz. "Consumer Protection Section" headed by a Superintendent with 4 Assistants works in the Office of the Commissioner, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department situated at Ezhilagam Main Building, 4 Floor, Chepauk, Chennai-5. At District level the District Supply Officer of districts other than Chennai and Deputy Commissioners of Chennai District have been designated as District Supply and Consumer Protection Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Officer (Chennai) respectively and doing the Consumer awareness and education programmes as per the policy laid down by Government of Tamil Nadu. A State level Consumer Protection Council, as defined in Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has been constituted under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Minister for Food & Consumer Protection. At district level the District Consumer Protection Council functions as per Consumer Protection Act, 1986 with District Collector as Chairperson. Both the councils are having Service providing Government Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Voluntary Consumer Organisations, Public Representatives etc. as its members. Regular meetings are being conducted in order to discuss and to decide on the modalities for improved Government Services besides finding out measures for protecting rights of consumers from unethical trade practices. The District Administration works in close co-ordination with Voluntary Consumer Associations, consumer clubs, self help groups, etc., in achieving organizational mission and objectives. The State Government is assisted financially as well as technically by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
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