As per figures between April and December in 2018, a total of 21, 065 calls were received. In 2017, from April 1, 2017, till March 31, 2018, total 5, 226 calls were received. The helpline was started in November 2016.
Going by the data received from the officials of the department of food and supplies and consumer affairs, the consumer helpline of the UT Chandigarh received maximum calls related to services in registering and licensing authority (RLA).
Out of the total 46,591 calls received between April and December, 40,332 calls were regarding the RLA department, the authorities shared.
In 2018, 20, 284 calls out of 21,065 were regarding the RLA and in 2017, 3,133 queries out of the total 5,226 received on the helpline were regarding the RLA.
An official from the helpline shared, “More than 80% calls received regarding the RLA are for query on online appointment for driving licence and RC registration.”
Calls have also been received for the election department with queries regarding election matters. Till last year, the number of calls were in hundreds, this year, 5,824 calls were received.
In 2018, 383 calls were received regarding election department between April and December, while in 2017, 657 calls were received from April 2017 till March 2018.
Calls regarding the excise and taxation department, society for prevention of cruelty towards animals (SPCA), red cross, food and supplies, disaster management and estate office are also received.
The helpline was introduced in November 2016 under the national consumer helpline (NCH) to provide telephonic advice, information and guidance to empower consumers and persuade businesses to reorient their policy and management system to address consumer concerns and grievances adopting world class standards. However, it gained popularity in the last two years.
The national consumer helpline (NCH) is a project of the Union ministry of consumer affairs which operates under the centre for consumer studies at the Indian Institute of Public Administration.
