Latest news with #ConsumerProtection(DirectSelling)Rules
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana left with over 1L MT coarse rice as ration policy shifts; govt explores disposal amid bumper paddy haul, FCI offloading adds to challenge
The Congress government in Hyderabad is dealing with a surplus of coarse rice. This happened after they started giving out fine rice through ration shops. The Civil Supplies Corporation procured a lot of paddy this season. HYDERABAD: The Congress govt, which started distributing fine rice to ration card holders since May, is left with over a lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of coarse variety of the staple in its godowns. The challenge before the govt is how to dispose of the huge stocks, as the supply of coarse rice was stopped through the fair price (FP) shops from April. What's more, the Civil Supplies Corporation, led by its commissioner DS Chauhan, achieved a record paddy procurement during the kharif. The procurement is set to reach 75 lakh metric tonnes -24 lakh metric tonne fine and the remaining (51 tonnes) coarse. Given the fact that even Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offloading its excess stocks of coarse variety rice, and there is good production of paddy in many other states, with Chhattisgarh even willing to sell its paddy at 1,800 per quintal, the civil supplies department is working on various options for selling the existing stock and that procured from the rabi this year. However, Chauhan said disposing of the existing stocks is not a big deal as it is safely preserved in godowns, mandal-level stock points and FP shops. "We are working with stakeholders on how to dispose of the stock. After milling, the 51 lakh metric tonnes of coarse variety paddy will yield not more than 35 lakh MT of rice," he said. Sources said that although FCI is offloading its excess stocks, it would place its indent for the kharif crop, based on which how much coarse rice would be lifted from Telangana will be known. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ductless Air Conditioners Are Selling Like Crazy [See Why] Keep Cool Click Here Undo "Chauhan had earlier worked with FCI and maintained cordial relations with the Centre, due to which there should not be a problem in disposing of coarse variety rice," a senior official said. The state govt has initiated the formulation of state-specific monitoring guidelines for the direct selling sector. The department of consumer affairs, food and civil supplies has been designated as the nodal department, with the commissioner of civil supplies, DS Chauhan, as its nodal officer for enforcement and supervision. Guidelines would be prepared in tune with the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021, issued by the Centre, to regulate business practices, ensure consumer safety, and prevent exploitation. The first of the consultative meetings was held on Saturday, involving key departments such as industries and commerce, commercial taxes, legal metrology, drugs control, excise, preventive medicine, and police, along with representatives from national industry bodies. The guidelines would be framed by striking a balance between regulation and ease of doing business, Chauhan added.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Guidelines being framed for direct selling sector, says D.S. Chauhan
Aimed at strengthening consumer protection and regulatory oversight, the Government of Telangana has initiated the formulation of State-specific monitoring guidelines for the direct selling sector. The initiative, led by D.S. Chauhan, Commissioner, Civil Supplies Department, builds on the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021, issued by the Government of India. With the direct selling sector rapidly expanding, Telangana aims to create a robust, locally tailored framework to regulate business practices, ensure consumer safety, and prevent exploitation. As a part of it, a consultative meeting was held involving key departments such as Industries & Commerce, Commercial Taxes, Legal Metrology, Drugs Control, Excise, Preventive Medicine, and Police, along with representatives from national industry bodies like the Association of Direct Selling Entities of India (ADSEI), the Federation of Indian Direct Selling Industries (FIDSI), and the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA). Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Chauhan emphasised that consumer safety is a constitutional responsibility and that the guidelines are designed to foster transparency, accountability, and trust in the direct selling ecosystem, while strengthening regulatory oversight and safeguarding consumer rights. Bhavesh Mishra, Secretary, IT E&C K. Haritha, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes; and K. Venkata Lakshmi, SP, CID were among present.
Mint
13-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Mint Primer: What's behind the order to clean up dark patterns?
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has directed over 50 digital platforms to remove dark patterns and complete self-audits within three months. What are dark patterns, and why is the CCPA sounding the alarm? Mint explains. What are dark patterns? Dark patterns are deceptive practices used on websites or apps of digital platforms to influence users into actions they may not have planned. These tricks are designed to benefit the platform at the user's expense, and can lead to a financial loss for the user. Dark patterns could include a range of actions like requiring users to submit unrelated private details to continue, enabling automatic renewal of subscription without user-consent or making it hard for the user to unsubscribe, adding new items or increased quantity of a selected item without consent, showing ads disguised as content, among others. What's the CCPA advisory? The Central Consumer Protection Authority last week issued an advisory to e-commerce platforms, urging them to take concrete steps to eliminate unfair trade practices that fall under the category of dark patterns. The advisory called upon platforms to conduct self-audits within three months of the issue of the advisory to identify such practices and submit a self-declaration stating that they are not involved in dark patterns. This move comes in the wake of growing regulatory scrutiny, with the CCPA having already issued 11 notices related to dark patterns, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare. Which are the companies under the lens? Notices went out to e-commerce firms, travel aggregators, food-tech platforms, ride-hailing firms, meditech start-ups, streaming services, and fintech firms. Companies include Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Paytm, Uber, Apple, Meta, Nykaa, Zomato, Swiggy, Tata 1mg, BookMyShow, BigBasket, Namma Yatri, and Snapdeal among others. How would it monitor dark patterns? The consumer affairs ministry has set up a joint working group (JWG) to strengthen oversight of dark patterns. Comprising key ministries, regulators, consumer rights groups and law universities, the JWG has been tasked with identifying violations, monitoring compliance with dark pattern guidelines, and recommending enforcement actions. It will also propose consumer awareness initiatives and policy measures aimed at curbing deceptive practices and promoting a fairer digital marketplace. Have there been any earlier guidelines? The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 mandate that platforms must obtain user-consent through 'clear and affirmative" action. Meanwhile, the Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules, 2021 hold entities directly accountable for engaging in deceptive or misleading trade practices. In 2023, the CCPA introduced the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, aimed at curbing 13 manipulative design tactics such aw 'false urgency,' which pressures users into immediate purchases.
