Ram Vilas Paswan announces setting up National Consumer Helpline for Northeast

Shillong: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday announced setting up of a national consumer helpline for the northeast region.

"Out of six places, we will install one national consumer helpline in Guwahati, Assam for the benefits of the consumers of the region," he told reporters after chairing the Hindi Salahakar Samity meeting held in the city here.

The Union Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution minister informed that so far 49 such helplines have been set up across the country which will ensure that consumers can file their complaints from anywhere including from mobile phones.

This was possible after the Centre had proposed the amendment to Consumer Protection Bill, which is expected to be passed in the next Parliament session, the minister said.

"We have given Rs 1 crore for lower courts and Rs 10 crore for Commissions," he said, adding that under the new Bill, consumers can file their complaints even before they purchase.