By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, OCT 22, 2016: THE Consumer Mela organized by Department of Consumer Affairs on 20th October at Central Park, Connaught Place in New Delhi generated enough enthusiasm among the Consumers and more than 2000 visitors thronged the Mela to register their grievances or for counseling. National Consumer Helpline Stall registered more than 200 visitors. State Bank of India reported that 100 visitors to their counter with different queries and suggestions. There were 60 visitors in the ASCI counter enquiring about misleading advertisements. FSSAI had 250 visitors while TRAI had 200 visitors in their stall.

The Mela organized in association with the industry bodies, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, CII, PHD CHEMBER and DICCI as well as sector regulators like TRAI FSSAI, BIS etc was inaugurated by Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs. Justice Mr D.K Jain, President NCDRC, Mr Hem Pande, Department of Consumer Affairs, Senior Officers of Government of India and Senior members /office bureau of the industry bodies were present during the event.

The main objective of the mela was to bring the consumers and company face to face so as to resolve the grievances to the extent possible. This was also an opportunity for the consumers to register their grievances on the spot.

During the inauguration, the Minister also launched week long Consumer Awareness programme to be observed throughout the country during 20 to 27 October 2016 this year. He announced that from next year the consumer awareness week will be observed for one week from March 15, which is World Consumer Rights Day. Incidentally, the department is also observing Swachhta Pakhwada from 16 to 31 October 2016 . During the Mela the visitors were informed about the responsibility of the Consumers to keep their surroundings clean.

In the Mela, apart from National Consumer Helpline, BIS, FSSAI, NTH, NCDRC, Weights and Measures, reputed private companies also participated in good number. All together there were 50 stalls put up by Participants.

While wrapping up of the Mela, Mr Hem Pande, Secretary Department of Consumer Affairs exhorted all the State Governments to replicate the Mela in their respective State and UTs so as to empower the Consumers.