MP NEWS : Every individual is a consumer in some way, yet many remain unaware of their rights. It is our collective duty to educate both ourselves and others in society about these rights. Additional Chief Secretary of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Rashmi Arun Shami, expressed this perspective at a state-level event held in Bhopal to mark World Consumer Rights Day.
Mrs. Shami highlighted that e-platforms have become the primary mode of shopping today. Consumers should be informed about the legal actions they can take if they receive substandard products. She explained that cases involving claims up to ₹50 lakh are handled in district consumer courts, those between ₹50 lakh and ₹2 crore in the state consumer commission, and cases exceeding this amount in the national consumer commission. If dissatisfied with a verdict, consumers have 45 days to file an appeal at the next level. She also encouraged social organizations to actively promote consumer awareness.
Madhya Pradesh State Food Commission Chairman, Mr. V.K. Malhotra, stressed the importance of consumer awareness and the need for officials executing policies to be more sensitive toward consumer issues. He also spoke about “nut-bolt performance.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Shobhit Jain, Registrar of the Madhya Pradesh Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, recommended organizing similar awareness workshops at division and district levels. He further emphasized educating consumers on sustainability and green practices.
Food Commissioner, Mr. Karmveer Sharma, informed that an online hearing system has been introduced in consumer courts, allowing consumers to participate from their homes. He also elaborated on various consumer rights.
During the event, outstanding contributions to consumer awareness were recognized. The Indore-based “Jagruk Upbhokta Samiti” received the first prize of ₹1,11,000, while the “Akhil Bharatiya Utthan Sangathan” from Satna was awarded the second prize of ₹51,000.
In the state-level essay competition on consumer rights, Mr. Dharendra Meravi from Government Higher Secondary School, Birsa, Balaghat District, secured the first prize of ₹6,000. The second prize of ₹4,000 was awarded to Mr. Pawan Takatode from Government High School No. 19, Naya Basera, and the third prize of ₹2,000 along with a certificate went to Miss Heeral Dasondhi from Kristina Convent Higher Secondary School, Mhowgaon, Indore District.
Similarly, in the poster competition, Miss Poonam Bodde from Government Primary School No. 19, Naya Basera, Indore District, won the first prize of ₹6,000. The second prize of ₹4,000 was awarded to Miss Jharna Rahangdale from Government Higher Secondary School, Birsa, Balaghat District, while Miss Sejal Tekam from PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School, Baihar, Balaghat District, received the third prize of ₹2,000.
The event also featured exhibitions on consumer awareness, with the Weights and Measures Department securing the first prize, the Warehousing Department receiving the second prize, and the Food and Drug Administration claiming the third prize.