Inauguration of e-JAGRITI Portal And National Consumer Helpline 2.0

On the occasion of National Consumer Day, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, and Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, announced the launch of measures such as e-JAGRITI Portal And National Consumer Helpline 2.0.  The minister reaffirmed the Honourable Prime Minister's stance during the B20 Summit, which emphasised the significance of consumer care. According to him, new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) reflect positively on the quality of items on the market. He proposed that e-filing of cases be made available throughout the country, ensuring that even technologically challenged consumers can use it to file cases using e-Dakhil.

Initiatives launched on National Consumer Day, 2023

• Shri Piyush Goyal issued the following statement on National Consumer Day 2023:
  • Launch of the e-JAGRITI platform for consumer commissions
  • NCDRC's VC Facility has officially opened.
  • Drone certification facility opens at NTH.
  • Launch of the National Consumer Helpline 2.0.
  • The opening of new laboratories at the National Test House Domestic Appliances Testing Laboratory in Mumbai and the Transformer Testing Facility in Guwahati, as well as the Organic Food Testing Laboratory in Jaipur.
  • MoU exchanged by NTH and RRSL for mutual collaboration In the EV (Testing)

e-JAGRITI portal

• Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Textiles, and Commerce & Industry, launched the e-JAGRITI platform on National Consumer Day 2023.
• The portal has been designed to enhance the customer experience further.

National Consumer Helpline 2.0

• The Union Consumer Affairs Minister launched the National Consumer Helpline 2.0.
• At the pre-litigation level, the National Consumer Helpline 2.0 serves as an alternative dispute resolution method. 
• It is available in over 17 languages, including the newly added Maithili, Kashmiri, and Santhali.

E-Dakhil Portal

• The E-Dakhil Portal was established to make it easier to file consumer complaints online.
• It provides an easy, quick, and low-cost way for consumers to access the relevant consumer forum, eliminating the need for them to travel and be physically present to file their complaint.
• The goal is to use technology to digitise and make it easier for people to access justice.

Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns 2023

• The Union Minister applauded the Department of Consumer Affairs for releasing the "Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023" recently. 
• These guidelines outline 13 unique dark patterns.
• It also seeks to avoid and control deceptive activities to maintain a fair and transparent marketplace for customers.

National Consumer Day 

• Every year on December 24, India observes National Consumer Day with a specific theme. 
• On this day, the President signed the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. 
• The passage of this Act is seen as a watershed moment in the country's consumer movement.