Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, will chair the National Consumer Day celebration in New Delhi on Tuesday.
This year’s theme, “Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice,” aligns with efforts to enhance consumer protection in an increasingly digital world.
Key initiatives will be launched during the event to protect consumers and promote transparency across sectors.
Thirteen leading e-commerce companies, including platforms from Reliance Retail, Tata Sons, Zomato, and Swiggy, will sign a Safety Pledge, a voluntary public commitment to ensure the safety of goods sold online and uphold consumer rights.
This pledge was developed after extensive consultation with stakeholders and aims to strengthen consumer protection in e-commerce, adhering to global best practices.
New Digital Tools for Consumer Protection
The event will also witness the launch of new digital tools to safeguard consumers from deceptive online practices, including the ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ ‘Jagriti App,’ and ‘Jagriti Dashboard.’ These tools will help detect and report “dark patterns” in e-commerce that manipulate consumer behaviour.
The AI-powered apps and dashboard will alert users to unsafe URLs and allow consumers to report suspicious activities directly to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
Additionally, the ‘e-Maap’ portal, a unified digital platform for all Legal Metrology services, will be introduced. It aims to streamline processes such as licensing and verification, reducing the compliance burden for businesses while promoting transparency and protecting consumer rights.
AI-Enabled National Consumer Helpline 2.0
The revamped AI-enabled National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 2.0 will also be launched, featuring enhanced functionality, faster grievance resolution, and multilingual support, making it more accessible and efficient for consumers across the country.
BIS to Introduce SMART Standards in 2025
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) will take a significant step towards digital evolution by transitioning to SMART Standards from 2025.
These machine-readable standards will make it easier for both humans and systems to access and implement regulations efficiently, reflecting the increasing complexity of digital systems.
Inauguration of Testing Facilities
Two state-of-the-art testing facilities will be inaugurated on National Consumer Day.
The Organic Food Testing Laboratory at the National Test House (NTH) in Guwahati will help ensure food safety, while the Low Voltage Switchgear Testing Laboratory in Mumbai will provide advanced certification and R&D services for electrical safety.
Additionally, a Software Testing Facility for Weighing and Measuring Instruments will be dedicated at the Regional Reference Standard Laboratory in Ahmedabad, enhancing India’s compliance with international standards.
Felicitation of ‘Tomato Grand Challenge’ Winners
The event will also felicitate the winners of the Tomato Grand Challenge, which sought innovative solutions for tomato production, processing, and storage. Winning teams from Manav Rachna International Institute, NIT Rourkela, and Fruvetech Pvt. Ltd. will be honoured for their ground-breaking technologies.
Focus on Digital Justice
The theme of this year’s celebration highlights the importance of digital solutions for consumer justice. Three technical sessions will be held to discuss topics such as health washing, the execution of Consumer Commission orders, and virtual hearings, emphasising efficient and cost-effective justice delivery.
National Consumer Day, celebrated annually on December 24, commemorates the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which safeguards consumer rights in India.
This year’s celebrations will underscore the role of technology in enhancing consumer protection and delivering justice in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
