Andhra Pradesh: 2-Day National Consumer Awareness Meet Begins In Puttaparthi
The CCC had been formed in 1990 to bring consumer organisations onto a common platform: The joint collector Maurya Bharadwaj
ANANTAPUR: Sri Sathya Sai district joint collector Maurya Bharadwaj underlined on Saturday that protecting consumer rights is a major priority of the government.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 16th National Consumer Awareness Conference at the Sai Aram Conference Hall in Puttaparthi, Bharadwaj said efforts are being made to create greater awareness among consumers about their rights and responsibilities, from purchasing goods in physical markets to using online services.
The two-day conference is being organised jointly by the Confederation of Andhra Pradesh Consumer Organisations (CAPCO) and the Consumer Coordination Council (CCC), New Delhi, with support from the AP Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department.
The joint collector recalled that the CCC had been formed in 1990 to bring consumer organisations onto a common platform under the principle of “One Organisation – One Voice.” He said the district administration is taking steps to ensure better services to consumers and conducting awareness programmes in coordination with various departments.
CAPCO chairman G. Suresh Kumar called upon consumers to develop a “questioning attitude” and become aware of their rights. He said holding the national conference in Puttaparthi associated with Sri Sathya Sai Baba, is an opportunity to strengthen the consumer movement.
Others who addressed the gathering included CCC national chairman Abhishek Srivastava, Bureau of Indian Standards director Prema Sanjani Patnal, Prof. Anil Jawahari, CAPCO honorary chairman Nageswara Rao, CCC founder M. Krishna Reddy, former chairman Shaji, and High Court advocate Sunil.
With the CCC completing 35 years, dignitaries at the conference unveiled a special poster marking the occasion. Speakers highlighted the growing importance of digital systems and online legal processes in resolving consumer complaints.
Participants discussed emerging challenges, such as e-commerce fraud, misleading advertisements, data protection, artificial intelligence, digital payments, and financial services.
Representatives from 10 states are attending the conference. They are discussing a future action plan to strengthen consumer organisations at all levels.