PANAJI
The Goa State Consumer Protection Council (GSCPC) has contemplated formulating State-specific Consumer Protection Rules to enhance the effectiveness of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 in Goa, leveraging the powers granted under Section 102 of the Act.
The meeting chaired by Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Ravi Naik at Mantralaya discussed that the significant move would boost consumer rights in the State.
The council also deliberated on establishing a Direct Selling Monitoring Authority Mechanism as mandated under Rule 11 of the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules 2021 in a bid to streamline and regulate direct selling activities in the State.
Addressing administrative bottlenecks, the meeting stressed the need to appoint a Senior Scale Officer to resolve issues faced by the State and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.
Civic and Consumer Forum GOACAN Coordinator Roand Martins, also present in the meeting stated that the meeting also decided that sittings of the Consumer Conciliation Committee (CCC) would be held in South Goa to ease accessibility for consumers in the district.
Another key development was the discussion on setting up a Goa State office for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to facilitate standardization activities in the state. To further strengthen consumer protection enforcement, an “Integrated Flying Squad” will be operationalized with officials from related departments on board.
In a move to safeguard public health, the council resolved to request the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to reinstate the "mandatory ISI mark" for packaged drinking water.
The meeting also highlighted the urgency of identifying alternative premises for the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, as well as the Goa State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, in light of the April 2025 deadline to vacate their current premises at Junta House.
