The Repairability Index is designed to evaluate and rate products based on how easily they can be repaired. The minister said the measure emphasizes the availability of essential parts and spare parts in the market, making it easier for consumers to repair products instead of throwing them away. Mint in an interview.
“India cannot be considered a dumping ground for inferior products. Manufacturers must take responsibility and be held accountable for service defects,” Joshi said.
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The measure is intended to help consumers keep their products longer, as many new models are designed to obsolete older versions, forcing consumers to buy replacements.
The star rating type index will be developed in consultation with all key stakeholders such as the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Environment, industry bodies, manufacturers and consumer groups, among others.
Just as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) introduced energy efficiency star ratings to enable consumers to make informed choices, the Repairability Index will enable consumers to assess how easily a product can be repaired. Products with higher repairability will receive better ratings and encourage consumers to make more sustainable decisions, he said.
The repairability index will require manufacturers to establish service centers across the country and provide repair services within a specified time.
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has been receiving numerous complaints regarding premium cars and consumer durables manufactured by multinational companies. The complaints highlighted delays in spare parts shipments of up to 45 days. This practice goes against the interests of consumers who invest large sums of money in these products. “Long wait times for repairs are unacceptable and must be addressed,” Joshi said.
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The repairability index will cover all categories of products, including consumer durables and automobiles, including all types of four-wheelers and two-wheelers.
“Repairing products on time remains a major challenge. After-sales service has always been an area of concern. The backlog of 500,000 cases in various consumer courts is a clear indication of the dire state of the service industry in the country,” said.
“The introduction of repairability ratings will undoubtedly enable consumers to make informed choices by understanding the reliability and repairability of products. Furthermore, this measure will promote competition among manufacturers to improve their services and Ensure availability of spare parts for better ratings,” said Ranjan.
Ashim Sanyal, representing the consumer group, echoed Ranjan’s concerns and stressed the need for a robust mechanism to establish and enhance the parameters of the repairability index.
“A clearly defined repairability index will not only ensure transparency but also hold manufacturers accountable for after-sales service and spare parts availability. It’s time for consumers to make sustainable and informed choices. These parameters must be rigorously designed and not Leave no loopholes that the company can exploit.
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The ministry has also launched E-Daakhil portal in all states and union territories to enhance consumer rights protection. Currently, there are more than 281,000 registered users of this portal, and 198,725 cases have been filed, of which 38,453 have been resolved. As it expands across the country, the portal aims to change the consumer rights landscape in India. E-Daakhil provides consumers with a simple, cost-effective and efficient online grievance mechanism.
Recently, the Central Consumer Protection Agency (CCPA) launched a detailed investigation into alleged “defects” in Ola Electric’s services and products, especially its scooters. dissatisfaction.
On February 2, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said in response to a query by the Lok Sabha that as of January 30, 543,592 consumer cases were pending before the National Consumer Commission. However, the number of pending cases has been declining steadily over the past three years, it added. The ministry said there were 560,700 open cases in 2021, 554,809 in 2022 and 543,359 in 2023.
On August 7, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution BL Verma said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that 244,813 real estate-related cases have been filed in consumer courts at the national, state and district levels. As of July 31, 194,555 of these cases had been processed and 50,258 cases were still pending.