Big challenge to ensure consumer welfare with e-commerce, says Paswan

New Delhi: Amid rise in e-commerce activities in the country, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today said there was need to strengthen consumer protection strategies for online consumers.

He also called upon non-profit organisations and groups to also focus on creating awareness among online shoppers about consumer protection rights and redressal mechanism.

"With growing new markets, consumer choice has widened and is posing a big challenge to ensure consumer welfare. E-commerce is also growing and E-commerce consumers should be no less protected when shopping online than when they buy from local store," Paswan said at an event organised by Consumer Coordination Council (CCC).

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There is a need to strengthen consumer protection strategies in this context, he said.

Paswan further said that though the government has largely not received complaints from e-commerce consumers, but the existing mechanism need to be strengthened to address their grievances.

To strengthen consumer protection, the government has already moved some amendments to the Consumer Protection Act to include setting up of a regulatory authority and speedy disposal of consumer cases, among others, he added.

Stressing on the need to sell quality products to consumers, Paswan said: "The Prime Minister has given a call for 'Make in India'. This cannot be achieved unless made in India products meet quality standards."

To improve quality standards of consumers products, the government has moved amendments to the BIS Act under which the number of products to comply with mandatory quality standards is proposed to be increased from 102 to 2,300 items, he said.

Paswan said government's 'Jago Grahak Jago' awareness needs to made more effective.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Keshav Desiraju also stressed on the need to re-visit consumer protection policies in the context of growing e-commerce activities.

PTI