Exciting news for consumers! The Centre is gearing up to release comprehensive guidelines on misleading advertisements for IAS coaching institutes, surrogate ads, greenwashing, and unsolicited calls. This strategic move is part of a 125-day plan aimed at safeguarding consumer interests, a source revealed on the condition of anonymity.
The decision stems from growing concerns about consumer rights violations stemming from deceptive advertisements and unethical practices that coerce individuals into making purchases.
“We are on the verge of finalizing guidelines related to various consumer issues. Some are in the finalization phase, while others are still undergoing consultation,” stated the insider.
“The expectation is that all guidelines will be concluded and made public for feedback within the coming months,” the source elaborated.
These guidelines will be issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
Initial drafts of the guidelines have already been circulated.
“Our process is transparent. We start by releasing draft rules for public input, allowing stakeholders to engage,” the insider disclosed.
The final guidelines
“The compilation of public comments is underway for misleading advertisements, greenwashing, and surrogate ads,” an official reported.
“The final guidelines will include additional provisions as suggested by stakeholders.”
According to the draft rules, civil services coaching institutes will be prohibited from using the personal information of toppers in their ads without consent.
These guidelines form part of a broader crackdown on deceptive trade practices, ensuring consumers aren’t misled by unverified claims from companies.
“It’s imperative for the government to expedite the release of guidelines for the benefit of consumers,” asserted Ashim Sanyal, CEO of Consumer VOICE.
The government has also unveiled draft guidelines to tackle pesky calls, deeming it unlawful for firms to make unsolicited calls or texts to promote their services.
“In the final rules, telecom providers will also be held accountable for permitting unsolicited calls to proliferate,” the source mentioned.
The guidelines aim to combat spam calls and messages from various businesses, including banks, lenders, insurers, and real estate agents, which have posed a significant issue in recent times.
Furthermore, the government is working on guidelines to safeguard consumer interests in online gaming following a study conducted by Bengaluru’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) on online gaming behavioral patterns.
Once the study findings are available, regulations will be formulated in consultation with relevant parties.
Regarding greenwashing, the draft rules mandate that all claims by individuals or organizations must be substantiated with verifiable evidence and shared through direct communication channels like QR codes or web links.
Queries directed to the spokesperson of the Consumer Affairs Ministry remained unanswered at the time of reporting.