:: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food&Public Distribution

This charter is declaration of our commitment to achieve excellence in the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures of the Department of Consumer Affairs for the benefit of the consumers and the public at large.

Administer the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 under which a 3- tier structure of consumer redressal agencies at the district, state and national level has been set up to provide speedy and inexpensive relief to the consumer with genuine grievances.
Operate the Consumer Welfare Fund which has been set up for promoting and protecting the welfare of consumers, generate consumer awareness and strengthen the consumer movement in the country.
Administer the Essential Commodities Act 1955 that has been enacted to ensure easy availability of essential commodities to consumers and protect them from exploitation by traders.
Administer the Prevention of black-marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 which provides for detention in certain cases for the purpose of prevention of black-marketing and maintenance of supplies of commodities essential to the community and for matters connected therewith.
Are the administrative department for the Bureau of Indian Standards which is a statutory body under the Indian Standards Act, 1986, responsible for the formulation of need-based Indian Standards, certification of products (i.e. grant of license for use of ISI Mark), Hall Marking of Gold jewelry, Quality System Certification, Environment Management System Certification, HACCP Certification, ECO Mark Certification, Laboratory Testing etc.
Administer the Standards of Weights & Measures Act, 1976 and the Standards of Weights & Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985 for the regulation of weights and measures, weighing and measuring instruments in the country.
Administer the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952 that provides the legal framework for futures trading in commodities.
Monitor the open market prices of essential commodities and take appropriate steps to check any unwarranted increase in prices of such commodities and ensure easy availability of these commodities across the country.
Administer the Spirituous preparations (Inter-State Trade & Commerce) control Act 1955 that provides for the imposition, in public interest, of certain restrictions on inter-state trade and commerce in spirituous medicinal and other preparations.
Administer the Emblems & Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, that provides for preventing the improper use of certain emblems and names (specified in the schedule of the Act) for professional and commercial purposes.
Assist consumers in redressal of complaints regarding shortfall in the supplies/expectations; deficiency in services, defective household goods & automobiles, poor construction material, non-refund of fixed deposits amounts, non realization of dividend from the companies, etc.