NON-FCRA PROJECTS: CONSUMER WELFARE FUND FOR NGOS

1. INTRODUCTION

The Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944 (1 of 1944) was amended in 1991 to enable the Central Government to create the Consumer Welfare Fund where the money, which is not refundable to the manufacturers etc., shall be credited. The money credited to the Fund is to be utilized by the Central Government for the welfare of the consumers in accordance with the Rules framed.

Consumer Welfare fund rules were notified on 25th November, 1992 Subsequently on the recommendations of the Central Consumer Protection Council, the Rules were further mended on 27th January, 1994 to make them more broad based. The rules were further amended on 16.06.94, 16.01.95 and 13.6.2002.

The fund has been set up by the Department of Revenue. However, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will operate it.

The overall objective of the consumer Welfare Fund is to provide financial assistance to promote and protect the welfare of the consumers and strengthen the voluntary consumer movement in the country particularly in the rural areas

2. SCHEMES & PROJECTS FINANCED FROM CONSUMER WELFARE FUND

CONSUMER CLUBS

This scheme was launched in 2002, according to which a consumer club shall be set up in each Middle/High/Higher Secondary school/college affiliated to a government recognized Board/University. This scheme has been decentralised and transferred to the Governments of States/UTs with effect from 1.04.2004. All interested NGO/VCOs shall apply to the Nodal Officer in the Food, PD & Consumer Welfare Department of the respective States/UTs.

SCHEME ON PROMOTING INVOLVEMENT OF RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS, UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

This scheme has been launched with a view to sponsor research and evaluation studies in the field of consumer welfare to provide solution to the practical problems being faced by the consumers, to sponsor seminars/workshops/ conferences on the consumer related topics, and to have necessary inputs for the formulation of policy/programme/scheme for the protection and welfare of the consumers.