Lok Sabha Question No. 33 (STARRED), answered on 2016-04-26
Subject: Empowerment of Rural Consumers
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## Government of India Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *33

TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.04.2016

## EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL CONSUMERS

## *33. SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

## Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the present consumer movement has largely been confined to the urban centres and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  expanding  rural  markets  have  now  necessitated  shift  in  focus  to  the  rural consumers, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken thereon; and
- (c) whether the Government has put any mechanism in place to protect the rural consumers by educating them about their rights and empowering them to make decisions based on information about the goods and services and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=ky; ea=h ¼Jh jke foykl ikloku½

## THE MINISTER OF

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) to (c) :

A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*33 FOR 26.04.2016  REGARDING EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL CONSUMERS.

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(a) to (c): The present consumer  movement  in the  country  benefits  both the rural  and the urban consumers. Liberalization and privatization of the economy  has resulted  in our markets being  integrated  with  global  supply  chains.  This  combined  with  information  explosion  and aggressive marketing has given rise to a rapidly growing rural demand for consumer goods.

The enactment of the Consumer Protection Act in 1986 has set in motion a veritable consumer movement in the entire country. 657 Consumer Fora have been established at the district level across the country for the protection and promotion of consumer rights. A wide network of more than  1250  voluntary  consumer  organisations  across  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  country  has spread the consumer movement in the rural areas.

For strengthening the movement in rural areas, the Government has been encouraging rural consumer centric projects, supporting the State Governments to carry forward the movement to the rural consumers, setting up of consumer clubs in schools and colleges, carrying out publicity campaigns on consumer education and awareness through electronic and print media. Doordarshan      has  a  significant  geographic  reach  and  a  diverse  viewership  cutting  across  the urban-rural  population  segments  and  the  reach  of      All  India  Radio  is  almost  99%  of  the country's  population  and  provides  an  effective  platform  for  reaching  out  to  rural  consumers. Print  advertisements  are  published  in  the  National  and  Regional  Newspapers  in  vernacular languages  is  significantly  aimed  at  rural  consumers.  Besides,  State  Governments  and  Union Territory  Administrations are funded to carry out campaigns in rural and remote areas in local languages. The Department also conducts publicity campaigns in rural melas.

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