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Now, filing complaint is just a click away. Filing a complaint in a consumer court’sgoing to get a lot easier by the end of this year, virtually. No matter which part ofthe country you’re in, it’s going to happen at the click of a mouse.The project, called Confonet (Computerisation and Computer Networking ofConsumer Fora), is being executed on a turnkey basis by the National InformaticsCentre (NIC).‘‘Online registration of complaints, the government hopes, will promotee-governance, transparency, efficiency and streamlining of consumer fora,” saidan official in the consumer affairs ministry. Of Rs 48.64 crore set aside for theproject, the government has released Rs 30.56 crore so far, the official added.‘‘Besides software development and testing, networking and projectimplementation, integration and site preparation, it will include purchase ofhardware for all the 600 district fora, 35 state commissions and the NationalCommission,” the official said.At present, computer systems and system software have been delivered to 25state commissions and 300 district fora — never mind the fact that it’ssometimes a long wait before the hardware is finally unpacked and set up insome of the districts. Meanwhile, training of staff, sometimes in the classroomand sometimes through e-learning sessions, are in full swing.‘‘But just setting up an online complaint filing system won’t ensure a strongconsumer protection movement in the country — for that we’re working onGenNext and the best way to do that is to go to schools,” the official said.The government is, therefore, involving school children to form consumer clubsso as to involve them in various consumer welfare activities.Part of the funding for running the club is to come from various stategovernments, with an equally matching grant from the Centre. However, anumber of state governments are yet to sanction the fund — some of theseinclude Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.Source: www.economictimes.indiatimes.comQuestions1. What new measures is the ministry of consumer affairs taking to makefiling of complaint easy?2. What role can you, as a student, play to contribute to the cause of consumerprotection?3. What scenario of consumer protection do you foresee when the measuresproposed in the above news report are implemented?(Teachers are advised to help students to study judgements of various consumerforums including National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission atwww.ncdrc.nic.in. This initiative will help the pupils to understand the role ofconsumer protection in India better. Various published material can also beused. Consumer clubs in schools can also help the students in this regard.)

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Inspiring Feat: Dailywage Labourer Turns EntrepreneurA landless woman from Bihar has been nominated among the top 25 farmers inAsia by a Mexican website.Forty-five-year old Lalmuni Devi was a daily wage labourer when she decided totake destiny into her own hands and transformed herself into a successfulmushroom farmer. Today she manages to make Rs. 12,000 every year for aninvestment of only Rs. 600.Her feat finds mention on a Mexican website that has grouped her as the top 25inspirational farmers in its photo gallery.‘‘I am a poor woman. I thought that mushroom farming would profit henceforthI started it. Now I can earn a living for my family,” said Lalmuni Devi.