IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters ›...

5
Consumer Dialogue Vol. 9 No. 4 October December 2016 IIPA CCS Sponsored by Department of Consumer Affairs Government of India Editorial Team Prof. Suresh Misra Dr. Sapna Chadah Dr. Mamta Pathania Research & Design Pankaj Kr.Singh Contact us : Centre for Consumer Studies Indian Institute of Public Administration, I.P Estate New Delhi - 110002 Tel : 011-23468347 23468434, Email : [email protected], Website : www.consumereducation.in A Quarterly e-Newsletter of Centre for Consumer Studies (CCS) 1 Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India 93 rd Orientation Training Progamme for the Presidents and Members of District Consumer Forums National Seminar on Globalization, Market and Consumer Rights: Issues and Challenges National Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers Release of CCS Publication on National Consumer Day CONSUMER MELA at Central Park, Connaught Place FSSAI collecting samples of milk, honey to check quality Google India, Consumer Affairs Ministry join hands for online consumer protection FSSAI to soon notify new standards for food supplements Doctor to Pay Rs. 4.5 Lakh for Amputating Kid's Fingers without Consent Centre Bans Sharing of Aadhaar Details Government Mulls Unified Body for Grievances Redressal in Financial Sector Two Day Workshop on “Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers” was organised by the Centre for Consumer Studies, on October 03-04, 2016 in collaboration with Regional Training Centre, Ghaziabad of SIRD Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. More than seventy participants attended the programme which included members of PRIs, service providers, School teachers, and Members of VCOs/ NGOs. The objective of the programme was to build ca- pacity of the people work- ing at grass root level about con- sumer rights and Consumer Pro- tection Act. The aim was to generate pool of local experts who can spread aware- ness in rural areas and at grass root level. The Programme was inaugurated by Shri Kunal Silku, Chief Development Officer, Hapur. He said with industrialization new goods and services were brought in the market and hence started the era of consumerism. Today the consumer can purchase any product manufactured any- where in the world just by click of a mouse. There are various standards and certifications which ensure quality and safety of products. But consumers prefer to purchase substandard products to save some money. Hence they buy fake and spurious products and put their life in danger. This is more so in rural pockets where people lack awareness. The whole market works on trust. All this has become important in the world of competition. Information is must to protect ourselves in the market. Thus consumer education is the need of the hour. We all have information but do not know how to use it. It is through consumer education that person gets the knowledge to process and use the information. We all consumers should learn to raise our voice where something goes wrong and make complaint to appropriate authorities. Shri Kunal Silku, CDO Hapur inaugurating the Programme He advised the participants not to put their lives in danger for small gain and take proper bill for purchase. Even in government now there are complaint redressal mechanisms available. Even online complaint can be made. Consumer protection is very relevant in today’s globalized era. Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India A Two Day National Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India was organized by CCS, IIPA in collaboration with Department of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Calicut on October 6-7, 2016 at University of Calicut, Kerala. 142 participants including NGOs, faculties from Colleges, Consumer activists, students from colleges and the Departments attended the seminar. Besides this there were 7 paper present- ers shortlisted after scrutinizing abstracts, who at- tended the seminar. Prof. Suresh Misra, Chair Professor and Coordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address. He said that in the rapidly changing business environment and emerging global markets, expectations of the people of the country for better services, quality goods, availability of choices and value for money has been continuously rising. Accordingly, both public and private sectors are undertaking several policy initiatives, schemes and incentives to promote consumers' welfare in the country. But inspite of these efforts, the exploitation is still rampant in today’s market scenario. Thus, in such a rapidly changing business environment there is a dire need to make consumers empowered so that they can easily save themselves from the trap of defective goods and deficient services. Prof (Dr) K. P. Muraleedharan, Director, School of Business Studies, University of Calicut highlighted that after the enactment of C. P. Act, the consumer is no longer helpless as now the re- dressal mechanism is in place for the welfare of the consum- ers. Dignitaries during the Inaugural Session

Transcript of IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters ›...

Page 1: IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters › Oct_December 2016.pdfCoordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address.

Consumer Dialogue

Vol. 9 No. 4 October—December 2016

IIPA

CCS Sponsored by

Department of Consumer Affairs

Government of India

Editorial Team Prof. Suresh Misra

Dr. Sapna Chadah

Dr. Mamta Pathania

Research & Design Pankaj Kr.Singh

Contact us : Centre for Consumer Studies Indian Institute of Public Administration,

I.P Estate New Delhi - 110002 Tel : 011-23468347 23468434, Email : [email protected], Website :

www.consumereducation.in

A Quarterly e-Newsletter of Centre for Consumer Studies (CCS)

1

Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural

Development Officials and Service Providers

Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers

Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India

93rd Orientation Training Progamme for the Presidents and Members of District Consumer Forums

National Seminar on Globalization, Market and Consumer Rights: Issues and Challenges

National Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India

Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service Providers

Release of CCS Publication on National Consumer Day

CONSUMER MELA at Central Park, Connaught Place

FSSAI collecting samples of milk, honey to check quality

Google India, Consumer Affairs Ministry join hands for online consumer protection

FSSAI to soon notify new standards for food supplements

Doctor to Pay Rs. 4.5 Lakh for Amputating Kid's Fingers without Consent

Centre Bans Sharing of Aadhaar Details

Government Mulls Unified Body for Grievances Redressal in Financial Sector

Two Day Workshop on “Consumer Protection and Empowerment

of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and

Service Providers” was organised by the Centre for Consumer

Studies, on October 03-04, 2016 in collaboration with Regional

Training Centre, Ghaziabad of SIRD Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

More than seventy participants attended the programme which

included members of PRIs, service providers, School teachers, and

Member s o f

VCOs/ NGOs.

The objective of

the programme

was to build ca-

pacity of the

people work-

ing at grass root

level about con-

sumer rights and

Consumer Pro-

tection Act. The

aim was to

generate pool of

local experts who

can spread aware-

ness in rural areas and at grass root level. The Programme was

inaugurated by Shri Kunal Silku, Chief Development Officer,

Hapur. He said with industrialization new goods and services were

brought in the market and hence started the era of consumerism.

Today the consumer can purchase any product manufactured any-

where in the world just by click of a mouse. There are various

standards and certifications which ensure quality and safety of

products. But consumers prefer to purchase substandard products

to save some money. Hence they buy fake and spurious products

and put their life in danger. This is more so in rural pockets where

people lack awareness. The whole market works on trust. All this

has become important in the world of competition. Information is

must to protect ourselves in the market. Thus consumer education

is the need of the hour. We all have information but do not know

how to use it. It is through consumer education that person gets the

knowledge to process and use the information. We all consumers

should learn to raise our voice where something goes wrong and

make complaint to appropriate authorities.

Shri Kunal Silku, CDO Hapur inaugurating the

Programme

He advised the participants not to put their lives in danger

for small gain and take proper bill for purchase. Even in

government now there are complaint redressal mechanisms

available. Even online complaint can be made. Consumer

protection is very relevant in today’s globalized era.

Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India

A Two Day National Seminar on Consumer Protection and

Empowerment in India was organized by CCS, IIPA in

collaboration with Department of Commerce and

Management Studies, University of Calicut on October 6-7,

2016 at University of Calicut, Kerala. 142 participants

including NGOs, faculties from Colleges, Consumer

activists, students from colleges and the Departments

attended the seminar.

Besides this there

were 7 paper present-

ers shortlisted after

s c r u t i n i z i n g

abstracts, who at-

tended the seminar.

Prof. Suresh Misra,

Chair Professor and

Coordinator CCS/

IIPA, New Delhi

delivered the Keynote

Address. He said that

in the rapidly changing business environment and emerging

global markets, expectations of the people of the country for

better services, quality goods, availability of choices and

value for money has been continuously rising. Accordingly,

both public and private sectors are undertaking several

policy initiatives, schemes and incentives to promote

consumers' welfare in the country. But inspite of these

efforts, the exploitation is still rampant in today’s market

scenario. Thus, in such a rapidly changing business

environment there is a dire need to make consumers

empowered so that they can easily save themselves from

the trap of defective goods and deficient services. Prof (Dr)

K. P. Muraleedharan, Director, School of Business Studies,

University of Calicut highlighted that after the enactment of

C. P. Act, the consumer is no longer helpless as now the re-

dressal mechanism is in place for the welfare of the consum-

ers.

Dignitaries during the Inaugural Session

Page 2: IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters › Oct_December 2016.pdfCoordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address.

Vol. 9 No. 4 October—December 2016

2

Prof (Dr) P. Mohan, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of

Calicut delivered the Inaugural Address. He said that

protection and promotion of consumer's rights and interests is

a vital function of the Government of any economy. It is

basically a social and political necessity and is essential for

all round progress of the country.

The Seminar was divided into number of thematic sessions.

The sessions were followed by Paper presentations invited at

the end of each day of the national seminar with a total of

seven papers.

Dr. K. Mohammed Basheer, Vice Chancellor, University of

Calicut delivered the Valedictory Address. Talking about the

importance of C. P Act, he said that the aspirations of the

people have changed with the changing economy. Due to

competition choices to consumers are numerous, be it

products or services. On the other hand the consumers are

being exploited by the shopkeepers due to ignorance and lack

of practical implementation of the laws and policies. He

further added, the need of the hour is to start a movement and

think ahead for a secure and safe future. He said these types

of seminars are moments to realize that we have certain rights

in place for our welfare but with a conscious that we have to

be demanding to get what we have asked for. Such seminars

are platform for understanding the importance of quality in

service delivery.

93rd

OTP for the Presidents and Members of

District Consumer Forums

The Ninety-Third Orientation Training Programme for

the Presidents and Members of the District Consumer Forums

was organized from November 07-11, 2016. Twenty One

Presidents and Members of the District Forums from Andhra

Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu attended the

programme. The objective of the programme was to build the

capacity of the Presidents and Members of the District Forums

to enable the redressal mechanism to function effectively.

The programme was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Justice

V.B. Gupta, Former Member, NCDRC. He said that the basic

purpose of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide redressal

to consumer grievances in easy and quick manner. It is there to

compensate the consumer for the genuine loss suffered by

him. The compensation has to be reasonable and not for

enrichment of consumers. He said consumer foras are working

in difficult conditions and are having many handicaps. A

committee of the Supreme Court has been appointed espe-

cially to look into these issues. Inspite of this they are required

to be patient and consumer friendly as they are first point of

contact for the consumer. The credibility of the whole system

depends on the kind of response the complainants get at the

District Forum.

The judge should be gentle and give patient hearing to the liti-

gants. They should act on the Principles of Natural Justice. The

orders of the forum should be supported by strong reasons. An

endeavour should be made to give quick, time bound redressal

to consumers following summary procedures. The programme

was divided into a number of thematic sessions wherein inputs

on a number of subjects having bearing on the working of the

District Forums were discussed. During the Programme, the

participants visited the National Commission and observed the

proceedings of the Commission. They also met Mrs. Rekha

Gupta and Mrs. M. Shreesha, Members, NCDRC. During the

valedictory session Dr. S.M. Kantikar, Member NCDRC inter-

acted with the participants.

National Seminar on Globalization, Market and Consumer Rights: Issues and Challenges

A National Seminar on "Globalization, Market and

Consumer Rights: Issues and Challenges was organized by CCS,

IIPA, New Delhi in collaboration with Department of Political

Science, DSB Campus ,Kumaun University on 11-12 November,

2016 at Nanital, Uttrakhand. 153 participants included, teachers,

researchers, students and Consumer activists from various uni-

versities and colleges. The objective of the Seminar was to dis-

cuss and debate the consumer rights in the context of globaliza-

tion and expanding markets. The Seminar also provided a plat-

form to various researchers/students to present their papers and

highlight various aspects of consumerism. Professor Suresh

Misra, Chair Professor and Coordinator, CCS, IIPA, New Delhi,

put forth his thoughts on the theme of Seminar. He gave a brief

introduction of consumer welfare and the idea behind setting up

of Centre for Consumer Studies, at IIPA. He said the Centre

aims to spread awareness about consumer rights and to promote

consumer education. He highlighted that globalization has

changed our lifestyle by bringing about a change in our eating

habits, dress patterns etc. The Key Note Address on the theme of

the Seminar was delivered by Prof R.C. Mishra, Registrar, Uttra-

khand Open University, Haldwani. He said that globalization has

transformed our lives. Two other kinds of cultures have come to

the forefront in the era of globalization, these are (i) Corporate

Culture and (ii) Culture of Consumption. Three major issues

connected with consumers are: (i) Standard form of Contract,

for e.g., the details in fine print in insurance and bank contracts,

(ii) Unfair practices in trade, (iii) E-Commerce. The options to

consumers are limited as consumer issues cannot be resolved

within the existing legal framework. The Chief Guest of the

Seminar Shri Hem Pande (IAS), Secretary, Consumer Affairs,

GoI delivered the Inaugural Address.

Shri Hem Pade, Secretary, DCA addressing the gathering

Hon’ble Justice V.B. Gupta inaugurating the programme

Page 3: IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters › Oct_December 2016.pdfCoordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address.

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Vol. 9 No. 4 October—December 2016

National Seminar on Consumer Protection and

Empowerment in India

service providers, school teachers, and members of

VCOs/ NGOs. The objective of the programme was

to build capacity of the people working at grass root

level about consumer rights and Consumer Protection

Act. The aim was to generate pool of local experts

who can spread awareness in rural areas and at grass

root level. The Programme was inaugurated by Prof

Suresh Misra, Chair Professor & Coordinator, CCS.

He emphasized on the need for education and

awareness of the consumers regarding their rights

and responsibilities as it will enable them to fight for

their rights. The globalization has taken consumerism

to the rural markets. The MNCs are capturing the

rural markets and the products which were available

in the cities earlier are now being sold in rural

markets. This has left the consumers in rural areas

more vulnerable. They are encountering problems of

sub-standard and counterfeit products, misleading

ads, false promises etc. For this the consumers need

to raise their voice. They need to know the three tier

redressal mechanism available under the Consumer

Protection Act. Government is also adopting

multi-pronged approach and policy framework

keeping in view the diversity in India. Further some

of the changes are being introduced in the

adjudicatory process by the new Bill. New provisions

are being introduced to take care of the problems of

consumers. The government is also promoting out of

court settlement and mediation of consumers’

disputes for easy resolution of consumer disputes.

The programme was divided into a number of the-

matic sessions wherein inputs on a number of sub-

jects which are of relevance for common consumers

was provided.

The Centre in collaboration with Department of Commerce, St

Teresa’s College (Autonomous) ,Ernakulam organized a two day

National Seminar on Consumer Protection and Empowerment in India

on 17th-18th November 2016 at Ernakulum. More than 113 participants

which included academicians, students from various colleges and

universities of Kerala participated and benefited from the seminar. The

Welcome Address was delivered by Smt. Mary Sruthy Melbin, HOD of

Department of Commerce. The Presidential Address was given by Dr.

Vinitha, the Director of the College. She urged the participants to be

aware of the consumer rights and to exercise their rights while purchas-

ing the goods and services. She said consumer’s choice is identified by

the market behaviour of the products available. The Inaugural Address

was delivered by Mr. Cherian K. Kuriakose, President, District

Consumer Forum, Ernakulum. He stressed that consumer’s movement is

a people’s movement for removing dissatisfaction amongst consumer’s

and removal of exploitation at the hands of traders and manufacturer.

Such type of programmes are a stepping stone towards achieving

awareness at all ends. The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof.

Suresh Misra, Chair Professor and Coordinator, Centre for Consumer

Studies, IIPA, New Delhi. He reminded the audience about the impact

of globalization on consumer protection. The Seminar was divided into

ten technical sessions spread over two days.

Dignitaries during the Inaugural Session

He started his address with a question –“Why is there a need to protect

the consumer when we say consumer is the king? Are we at someone's

mercy? “He stressed social media is a strong medium and only truth

should be posted and circulated there. He talked about new Consumer

Protection Bill which has provisions of fine and ban on celebrities car-

rying out misleading promotions through advertisements. He discussed

the sad state of affairs under the existing consumer grievances redressal

framework where the major problem is lengthy legal procedure that

leads to delayed justice. The seminar was divided into four technical

sessions and one Brain Storming Session. In Technical sessions, papers

on Globalization, Market and Consumer Rights: Issues and Challenges

were presented during the two days of the Seminar.

Dignitaries lighting the lamp

Two Day Workshop on Consumer Protection and Empowerment of

Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and

Service Providers

A Two Day Workshop on “Consumer Protection and Empowerment of

Panchayati Raj Institutions, Rural Development Officials and Service

Providers” was organised by the CCS, IIPA, New Delhi on December

15-16, 2016 in collaboration with Regional Training Centre,

Bulandshahr of SIRD, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. GoI. More than ninety

participants attended the programme which included members of PRIs,

Release of CCS Publications on National Con-

sumer Day

Department of Consumer Affairs celebrated National

Consumer Day on December 24, 2016 at Vigyan

Bhawan. On the occasion four Monographs published

Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan releasing publications

of CCS during the National Consumer Day

Page 4: IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters › Oct_December 2016.pdfCoordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address.

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Vol. 9 No. 4 October—December 2016

Food regulator, FSSAI is collecting samples of milk and honey sold

in the market to check quality of these two food items after it

received consumer complaints. The Food Safety and Standards

Authority of India (FSSAI)

has set up an expert panel to

review the existing standards

to simplify and streamline the

quality norms. Surveillance

is a big area. FSSAI has taken

up surveillance in few

commodities. The surveil-

lance on honey and milk is

going on. It would be done in

more products in future.

FSSAI has accelerated the

pace of standard settings in

the country. The regulator has

recently set standards for for-

tification of six food items as well as for nutraceuticals and health

supplements. The panel comprising various stakeholders to review

the present standards will submit its suggestions and the same will

be considered by the scientific committee.

FSSAI collecting samples of milk, honey to check quality

Google India, Consumer Affairs Ministry join hands for online

Consumer Protection

Aiming to raise awareness about online safety, Google India in

collaboration with Ministry of Consumer Affairs has announced a

nationwide 'Digitally Safe Consumer campaign, as part of a larger

effort to help better protect consumers’ interest online. As part of

this collaboration, Google along with the Department of

Consumer Affairs will undertake a year long campaign

focused on building capacities of consumer organisations,

personnel of Consumer Affairs Department and counsellors

of National Consumer Helpline on Internet safety and

related issues. "With the rapid increase in digitisation

across all spheres, the message of internet safety needs to

be integrated into the everyday tasks that the consumer

undertakes online," said Country Head, Public Policy,

Google India. In order to provide training and informa-

tion on online

safety tools,

Google will the

help partner

agencies to work

towards advocat-

ing digital secu-

rity and privacy

needs through

'Digital Literacy,

Safety & Secu-

rity' workshops

through a 'Train the Trainer' model for approximately 500

people including 250 consumer organisations across the

country. "These trainers will further engage with the local

community to spread awareness around the need for Inter-

net safety. The campaign expected to roll out in January,

2017 will reach out with training materials to over 1,200

consumer organisations as well as Consumer Affairs

Department of every state and Union Territories.

FSSAI to soon notify new standards for

food supplements

Food regulator FSSAI will soon notify a new standard for

food supplements as part of its efforts to ensure safe and

nutritious food to the people. Last year, the Food Safety

and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had come out

with draft quality and safety norms to regulate food or

health supplements, nutraceuticals, functional and dietary

foods. "The new standards of food supplements are in the

final stage of noti-

fication and will

be shortly noti-

fied" said FSSAI

CEO at a confer-

ence of the Indian

Direct Selling

A s s o c i a t i o n

(IDSA). Stating

that about 60 per

cent of the direct

selling industry players deal in food products, he asked the

members to create awareness about the food safety. "It is

FSSAI's responsibility to ensure that safe and nutritious

food is supplied to 130 crore people of the country and we

do require support and cooperation of each member of this

Industry," he said. FSSAI has been having discussions

with IDSA to effectively use the reach of 40 lakh distribu-

tors of IDSA member companies towards spreading food

awareness, which is an elementary requirement. The

Direct Selling Industry has huge potential to reach Rs

15,000 crore by 2019­20.

Consumer Mela at Central Park, Connaught Place

Department of Consumer Affairs organized a full day Consumer

Mela on 20th October 2016 at Central Park, Connaught Place, New

Delhi with an objective of bringing Consumers, Companies,

Regulators and the Department of Consumer Affairs on one platform

for Consumer Awareness and grievance redressal. Centre and

National Consumer Helpline actively participated in the Mela.

Centre distributed awareness material in the form of phamplets,

brochures, books etc. Hundreds of people visited CCS stall and

registered their complaint with NCH. To generate awareness about

Consumer rights NCH Team also performed Nukkad Nataks.

by CCS were released by Ho’ble Union Minister Shri Ram Vilas

Paswan. These were Sustainable Consumption and Life Style: Role

of Consumer; Electricity and Consumer; Legal Metrology and

Consumer and Non-Banking Finance Companies : Regulations and

Consumers.

Page 5: IIPA Consumer Dialogue - Center For Consumer Studies(ccs)consumereducation.in › newsletters › Oct_December 2016.pdfCoordinator CCS/ IIPA, New Delhi delivered the Keynote Address.

5

Vol. 9 No. 4 October—December 2016

The top Consumer Commission has directed a doctor, who runs a private

hospital in Rajasthan, to pay Rs. 4.5 lakh to a minor boy for amputating

his two fingers without seeking consent from his parents.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) also

took note that the doctor, a West Bengal native, had been convicted by a

trial court in a criminal case registered in this regard.

According to the complaint, in 2004, the fingers of Sampath Kumar, son

of an Udaipur-resident Narayan

Lal, came under the blades of a

domestic flour mill after which he

was taken to a hospital run by

Sarkar. The doctor assured the

parents that Sampath would be

fine but allegedly amputated two

of his fingers without seeking con-

sent from his parents. A criminal

complaint was also registered in

this regard under relevant sections

of IPC. The doctor denied that he amputated the patients fingers. He also

said that on seeing the condition of the child, he refused to treat him but

on the insistence of his father, he gave first aid and bandaged his finger.

The district forum ordered the doctor to pay the amount along

with Rs. 5,000 as litigation cost to Sampath after dismissing the doctor's

contention that his fingers were detached from his hand when he was

brought to the hospital.

Doctor to Pay Rs. 4.5 Lakh for Amputating Kid's

Fingers without Consent

Centre Bans Sharing of Aadhaar Details

Agencies in possession of Aadhaar number of an individual will not be

allowed to publish or post the information publicly and will have to

ensure security and confidentiality of the 12-digit identification number

under the Aadhaar Act. The move comes as part of the UIDAI’s efforts to

ensure the information is not misused. Under the recently notified

regulations, these agencies have also been mandated to inform Aadhaar

holders the purpose for which their

details will be used. As per the

rules, the biometric information

cannot be shared with anyone for

any reason whatsoever. Any

violation of the Aadhaar Act will

constitute an offence and is

punishable under the Act,

according to Unique Identification

Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO

Ajay Bhushan Pandey. Penalty has been prescribed for offences such as

impersonation of the Aadhaar holder at the time of enrolment, tampering

with data and disclosing identity information. Based on the offence, the

penalty could go up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs.1

lakh or both.

Government Mulls Unified Body for

Grievances Redressal in Financial Sector

In order to strengthen the consumer protection mechanism, the

government has initiated an exercise to set up a unified body to address

grievances of customers in the financial sector. Currently, there are

separate grievance redressal mechanism for insurance, banking services,

pension and securities market. Financial Redressal Agency (FRA) design

offers a simplified resolution process, allowing retail consumers in distant

and remote locations to pursue effective remedies against financial

service providers (FSPs), without imposing

significant costs on them, Finance Ministry said in a

statement. It will try to resolve all complaints

through mediation and discourage court-like

processes, it said, adding that cases where the

parties are unable to reach a settlement would be

resolved through a light-touch adjudication process.

In a move to check arm-twisting practices and bring

in more transparency in broadcasting business,

regulator TRAI proposed uniform interconnection

guidelines for transmission of TV channels across

all available platforms like cable, DTH and IPTV.

"The Authority is of the view that the common

regulatory framework for interconnection of all

types of addressable systems will ensure a level-

playing field among different service

providers," TRAI said in a note explaining draft

norms on inter-connection issued . At present, two

separate regulatory frameworks are applicable for

inter-connection of HITS (head-end in the sky op-

erator), IPTV and DTH, and cable TV services.

HITS is a satellite multiplex service that provides

cable channels. In the broadcast sector, there are a

number of intermediaries between a broadcaster and

the end consumer. The

broadcast takes the route of

distribution network and

reaches viewers either

through DTH, cable operator

or an IPTV. As per the Draft

Telecommunication

(Broadcasting and Cable

Services) Interconnection

(Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2016, a

common interconnection rule when implemented

would foster competition, promote orderly growth

and result in better quality of services at affordable

prices to subscribers. The TRAI in the draft has

proposed capping of carriage fee charged by

distribution networks like DTH players, cable

operators for transmitting TV channels at 20 paise

per channel per user. Besides, "no carriage fee is to

be paid by a broadcaster if the subscription of the

channel is more than or equal to 20 per cent of the

subscriber base". The regulator has proposed

prohibition of any exclusive agreement between the

broadcaster and the distributor of a channel that can

prevent any other distributor from obtaining TV

channels of such a broadcaster for distribution.

Similarly, it has proposed to prohibit such exclusive

agreements between a distributor of TV channels

with a broadcaster that prevents any other

broadcasters from obtaining access to the

network of such a distributor. The regulator has

proposed must-carry provision for all addressable

systems on first-come first-serve basis.

Transparency and non-discrimination at various

levels of broadcast distribution chain will lead to

healthy competition in the sector.

TRAI Proposes Uniform Broadcast

Interconnect Norms