Staff Reporter
Panaji
Consumer grievances from Goa, registered on the National Consumer Help Line (NCH), increased 38 per cent to 3,161 complaints in 2023-24, as against an average increase of 22 per cent at the all-India level, according to the Union government.
In the current year 2024-25, until December 2024, the number of grievances registered on the national portal stood at 2,598 complaints, disclosed the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
Uttar Pradesh tops the list in consumer grievances followed by Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan. Total consumer grievances from all states in 2023-24 stood at 12.3 lakh as against 10 lakh in the previous year, said the ministry in reply to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade. Minister for Consumer Affairs BL Verma pointed out that the NCH has been revamped and is available in 17 regional languages. The grievances can be submitted on the central portal via the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism (INGRAM), WhatsApp (8800001915), SMS (8800001915), email (nch-ca@gov.in), he said.
The helpline operates from 8 am to 8 pm on all seven days of the week, except on national holidays. To enhance accessibility further, a call-back facility is available. An exclusive call centre has been established to ensure prompt service.
NCH has partnered with companies which want to join the programme on a voluntary basis to offer efficient consumer complaint resolution. The number of companies that address consumer disputes at pre litigation stage presently is 1,038 compared to 263 companies in 2017, said the ministry.
