Consumer Affairs Ministry News

Previously, companies were given the flexibility to choose between printing the 'date of manufacturing,' 'date of import,' or the date of packaging.

Edible oil makers had cut prices by up to Rs 10-15 per litre last month. Major edible oil makers have promised to reduce the MRP by up to Rs 10 per litre by next week.

Action against violation of the new guidelines will be taken as per the provisions of the CCPA. The Secretary also mentioned that these guidelines will apply to government advertisements as well. ASCI's advertising guidelines for self-regulation will also be in place in a parallel manner.

Last month, the ministry said that payment of ‘service charge’ is a voluntary act. Restaurants and eateries are reportedly collecting service charge from consumers by default. Collection of any such charge is 'Voluntary'.

The Centre has decided to offer ‘urad’, ‘tur’ at subsidised rates to states for retail sale to check rising price of pulses Dhuli urad is being offered to states at Rs 79 per kg for K-18 variety and at Rs 81 per kg for K-19 variety of 2018 kharif crop Similarly, tur is being offered for retail intervention at Rs 85 per kg, the govt release said

This decision was taken at a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee on Tuesday as it again reviewed the prices and availability of onions.

The ministry officials have claimed that consumer complaints will be redressed within a minimum of 20 days and a maximum of 60 days. A consumer can download this app by going to the Play Store on their mobile. The app is available on both Android and Apple platforms. 

At present, the declarations on the label are printed in such small fonts that consumers have complained to the government and even made representation to address the issue.

Amid rumours of a salt shortage in different parts of Delhi, National Capital Region (NCR) and Uttar Pradesh, both central and Delhi governments on Friday clarified there is no such shortage.

The Centre has decided to bar direct selling companies such as Amway, Tupperware and Oriflame from charging any entry fee from agents or compelling them to buy back unsold stocks.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry today finalised draft guidelines for the Rs 72,000 crore direct selling industry with a view to safeguarding interest of consumers by differentiating genuine schemes from money-swindling ponzi ones.

Over 1.20 lakh tonnes of pulses have been seized from hoarders across the country so far as part of the government's steps to control prices of lentils, which still remain expensive for common man.

According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, over 5,800 tonnes of pulses have been seized in five states in the last few months. Around 2,546 tonnes have been seized from Telangana, 2,295 tonnes from Madhya Pradesh, 600 tonnes from Andhra Pradesh, 360 tonnes from Karnataka and 1 tonne from Maharashtra.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Thursday said the Centre is sleeping over the increasing prices of Dal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised maintaining decorum on the Maggi row till all facts come to light, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said Thursday.

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a new Consumer Protection Bill 2015 that seeks to replace a 29-year-old law and proposes to set up a regulatory authority which will have powers to recall products and initiate class class suit against defaulting companies, including e-tailers.

The Cabinet is likely to approve Wednesday a new Consumer Protection Bill 2015, that seeks to replace the existing law and proposes setting up a regulatory authority to curb unfair trade practices.

Food safety regulator FSSAI on Friday briefed a Parliamentary panel about the Maggi controversy and regulation of toxic contents in packaged food items.

Taking note of the Maggi noodles row, traders body CAIT has urged Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan to formulate policy and guidelines for brand ambassadors endorsing products.

The brand ambassador have given health guarantee to the public, which is not based on any adequate or scientific judgement and therefore makes them liable to face prosecution for violation of Section 24 of FSSAI Act, 2006, it added.