JULY 25: In a bid to enhance consumer protection and awareness across Jammu and Kashmir, Minister Satish Sharma chaired a high-level meeting with officials from the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The discussion focused on developing a comprehensive, community-oriented strategy to promote consumer rights and ensure faster redressal of grievances.
During the meeting, Minister Sharma stressed the urgent need to empower consumers at the grassroots level through sustained outreach and education. He proposed leveraging schools, youth clubs, and digital platforms as primary channels for spreading awareness. Special emphasis was laid on integrating Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) tools to engage the public across urban and rural areas.
The Minister called for the creation of monthly consumer awareness calendars, ensuring that consistent campaigns are organized throughout the year. These calendars would serve as planning tools to guide district-level events, school programs, and media outreach efforts aimed at informing citizens of their rights and responsibilities as consumers.
To further deepen community participation, Sharma directed that Consumer Clubs in educational institutions be made more active and involved in awareness campaigns. These clubs, he said, could play a pivotal role in educating young citizens and fostering a culture of accountability from an early age.
Another key focus of the meeting was the need for real-time grievance redressal mechanisms. The Minister instructed the Commission to explore the use of technology-driven solutions—such as mobile apps, online complaint tracking systems, and dedicated helplines—to improve response times and ensure transparency in the redressal process.
Sharma also urged all concerned departments to work in a coordinated manner, with joint responsibility to build a more informed and empowered consumer base. He proposed greater collaboration between the Consumer Affairs Department, Education Department, and local bodies to implement consumer rights education in a structured and accessible manner.
In closing, Minister Sharma emphasized that consumer empowerment is a cornerstone of good governance and economic justice. “An aware consumer is a protected consumer,” he said, encouraging officials to move beyond token initiatives and embed consumer rights education into the social and administrative fabric of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to roll out the new initiatives in phases, starting with pilot programs in selected districts.
