October 12, 2001
'39'
Information relating to the rights of consumers, the proper forum to express their grievances and the procedural details for filing a complaint and other related details will now be available at the click of a mouse. The site is available to internet users at: http://consumercom.nic.in Or http://ncdrc.nic.in . Besides providing awareness to consumers about their rights, the website will enable them in getting information relating to the process of filing complaints/appeals etc. before the National Commission; status of a case, details of cause list and judgement of various High Courts in its home page.
The National Commission was constituted in 1989 which is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court. At present, there are 555 District Fora, 34 State Commissions with an apex body as the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCRDC). There are 1406 voluntary consumer organisations working in the field of consumer protection and welfare in various states and union territories. The Department of Consumer Affairs provides assistance for consumer welfare oriented projects to such organisations which have been registered for at least three years and have undertaken consumer protection/awareness related activities during this period as per the guidelines and rules for grant of financial assistance under Consumer Welfare Fund. During 1999-2001, the Department has provided financial assistance to 112 Non-Governmental Consumer Organisations from Consumer Welfare Fund. The central Government has given a one time grant of Rs.61.8 crore to the states and union territories so far to strengthen infrastructure facilities of consumer dispute redressal agencies.