The Consumer Affairs Ministry has taken action in response to numerous consumer complaints and has issued an advisory directing retailers to refrain from demanding personal contact details from customers for the purpose of delivering certain services. The advisory comes as a result of retailers refusing to provide services to customers who decline to share their contact numbers. Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh announced the advisory during a press briefing on Tuesday, emphasizing that such demands are considered unfair and restrictive trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act.
According to Singh, a significant number of customers have voiced their concerns regarding retailers’ insistence on obtaining personal contact details. One of the most common complaints received by the ministry is that sellers refuse to generate bills unless customers provide their personal contact information. This practice has been deemed irrational and unfair, prompting the Consumer Affairs Ministry to address the issue.
Singh stated that the collection of personal contact details without valid justification violates the rights of consumers and falls under the purview of restrictive trade practices. The ministry’s advisory aims to curb this behavior and ensure that retailers comply with consumer protection regulations. Singh stressed that retailers should not impose unnecessary restrictions or requirements on customers when providing services.
The Consumer Protection Act, which safeguards the rights of consumers, prohibits businesses from engaging in unfair trade practices. The Act seeks to promote fair trade, protect consumers from deceptive practices, and provide effective mechanisms for addressing grievances. Singh underscored that demanding personal contact details from customers without a legitimate reason runs contrary to these objectives.
The advisory issued by the Consumer Affairs Ministry serves as a reminder to retailers of their obligations under the law. It urges them to refrain from imposing unnecessary conditions on consumers and to conduct their business operations in a fair and transparent manner. By eliminating the requirement for personal contact details, retailers can enhance the overall consumer experience and foster trust.
The ministry’s intervention is expected to have a positive impact on consumers who have been facing difficulties due to retailers’ insistence on obtaining personal contact information. Customers will no longer be subjected to arbitrary demands that hinder their access to services. The advisory provides clarity on the issue and empowers consumers to assert their rights without fear of retribution.
Furthermore, the ministry intends to monitor compliance with the advisory and take appropriate action against retailers who continue to engage in unfair practices. Complaints filed by consumers will be thoroughly investigated, and penalties will be imposed on non-compliant businesses. The Consumer Affairs Ministry is committed to ensuring a fair and equitable marketplace for consumers across the country.
The Consumer Affairs Ministry has issued an advisory directing retailers to avoid insisting on the personal contact details of customers for the purpose of delivering certain services. This move comes in response to consumer complaints regarding retailers refusing to provide services unless customers share their contact numbers. The ministry considers such practices to be unfair and restrictive trade practices, emphasizing that they violate consumer rights. By issuing the advisory, the ministry aims to promote fair trade and protect consumers from unnecessary demands, ultimately creating a more transparent and consumer-friendly marketplace.
