Did the National Consumer Helpline Refund Rs 7.14 Crore to Consumers in Just Two Months?

Click to start listening
Did the National Consumer Helpline Refund Rs 7.14 Crore to Consumers in Just Two Months?

Synopsis

In a remarkable achievement, the National Consumer Helpline has refunded Rs 7.14 crore to consumers within a two-month timeframe. This refund spans multiple sectors, showcasing the helpline's effectiveness. With the e-commerce sector leading in grievances, this initiative highlights the government's commitment to consumer rights and timely resolutions.

Key Takeaways

  • Refunds facilitated: Rs 7.14 crore in two months.
  • Grievances addressed: 15,426 across 30 sectors.
  • Leading sector: E-commerce with 8,919 complaints.
  • Nationwide reach: Complaints from all regions, including Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim.
  • Access point: Toll-free number 1915 available in 17 languages.

New Delhi, July 4 (NationPress) - The government announced on Friday that the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has effectively facilitated a refund of Rs 7.14 crore to consumers over the past two months.

This refund resolution spans across 30 sectors, successfully addressing 15,426 consumer complaints related to refund requests, as reported by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Significantly, the e-commerce sector generated the highest number of complaints, with a total of 8,919 grievances, leading to refunds amounting to Rs 3.69 crore.

Following this was the travel and tourism sector, which experienced refunds totaling Rs 81 lakh.

The complaints regarding e-commerce refunds originated from various regions across the nation, with the most significant number (1242) coming from Uttar Pradesh. Even smaller states like Sikkim and Dadra & Nagar Haveli reported issues, underscoring NCH's effectiveness as a truly national consumer redressal platform, according to the ministry.

“The facilitation of Rs 7.14 crore in refunds between April 25 and June 30, 2025 showcases the capability and responsiveness of the helpline, bolstered by the expansion of convergence partners and robust stakeholder engagement,” the department stated.

The rise in the number of grievances and cases registered with NCH also indicates the platform's increasing outreach, particularly through digital channels such as phone calls, the web portal, WhatsApp, the NCH App, UMANG, CPGRAMS, SMS, Email, and AI-driven chatbots.

This emphasizes NCH's essential role in providing timely and hassle-free grievance redressal, reinforcing its significance as a reliable pre-litigation platform that promotes consumer welfare and marketplace transparency.

This helpline has become a centralized access point for consumers nationwide to pursue grievance resolution at the pre-litigation phase. Consumers can file their complaints in 17 languages via the toll-free number 1915.

The department reiterated its commitment to enhancing the consumer protection framework and encourages all consumers to actively engage with the helpline to safeguard their rights and obtain timely resolutions. The NCH plays a vital pre-litigation role in swiftly and amicably resolving consumer grievances, thereby alleviating the workload on Consumer Commissions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Point of View

The success of the National Consumer Helpline in facilitating refunds over a short period demonstrates a robust consumer protection framework. As consumer grievances continue to rise, the helpline's effectiveness further underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and enhancing marketplace transparency, ensuring that consumers feel empowered and supported.
NationPress
20/07/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Consumer Helpline?
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) is a government initiative aimed at providing consumers with a platform to register grievances and seek resolutions efficiently.
How much money was refunded by the NCH?
The NCH facilitated refunds totaling Rs 7.14 crore to consumers within the last two months.
Which sector had the most grievances?
The e-commerce sector had the highest number of grievances, totaling 8,919 complaints.
How can consumers register their complaints?
Consumers can register their grievances through a toll-free number 1915 in 17 languages.
What is the goal of the National Consumer Helpline?
The goal of the NCH is to provide timely and hassle-free grievance redressal, promoting consumer welfare and marketplace transparency.