Regulatory framework sought for direct selling industry

Consumer policy expert Bejon Mishra Thursday called for a robust regulatory framework for the direct selling industry, ensuring protection of general consumers and legitimate direct selling companies.

"With more than seven crore consumers, direct selling has emerged as one of the major business opportunities in India. But a large number of unscrupulous people have also entered the market, resulting in frequent cases of fraud and cheating," Mishra said after a meeting with West Bengal Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pandey.

"Consumers have a right to access to quality products offered by direct selling companies and hence for the protection of both consumers and genuine companies a legislation is essential," he said.

Mishra handed over to Pandey a proposed draft legislation for the direct selling industry.

Pandey said the state government agreed to Mishra's proposal.