Misleading ads: Consumer affairs department, industry bodies to team up

To protect the rights of consumers against misleading advertisements, fake and counterfeit products, the consumer affairs department will enter into a partnership with industry associations.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard will be signed on Tuesday in the presence of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, official sources said on Monday.

Industry associations Assocham, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry will enter into a partnership on consumer advocacy, sources said.

The MoU will broadly cover the collaborative programmes on developing and implementing a self-regulated code of fair business practices, establishing a consumer affairs division within the industry body.

The move will ensure partnering with the the National Consumer Helpline and state consumer helplines for grievance redressal among other things.

A Joint Working Group will monitor the implementation of agenda, sources said.

The consumer affairs department will also celebrate the World Consumer Rights Day 2016 on Tuesday.