Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has mooted introduction of 'consumer studies' in the syllabi for school and college students to help create awareness among the consumers in the country."One of the activities (of Consumer Affairs and Food ministry) is to strengthen the consumer movement in India through spread of awareness among all segments of consumers, including school and college students. This can be achieved by inclusion of a small module on consumer studies in school and college syllabi," Paswan said in a letter to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar.This will encourage greater involvement of students in the consumer movement and help in enhancing awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities, official sources said here on Tuesday.Paswan said the Department of Consumer Affairs has been already taking several steps to promote and protect consumer rights, as provided under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The minister requested the HRD Minister to consider his suggestion and give appropriate directions to the authorities concerned."My ministry will provide resource material and the inputs for the suggested module," Paswan said and mooted that there can be a "dialogue" among officials from both the departments to work out necessary modalities.The Department of Consumer Affairs is running a consumer awareness campaign through 'Jago Grahak Jago'. It also runs a consumer helpline for the redressal of consumers' grievances.The ministry has also introduced a new bill to replace the Consumer Protection Act.A Parliamentary Standing Committee has already examined it and submitted the report.