Consumer awareness and responsible role of companies is important for a safe market! Opinion of Anil Diggikar

It is imperative that consumers are aware of their rights and that companies serve responsibly to build a safe and transparent market. Anil Diggikar, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection, said that government and industry need to work together to increase credibility in the direct selling sector.

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A special dialogue conference ‘Mahavikas-2026’ was organized at YB Chavan Centre, Mumbai. The conference was organized in association with the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) and the State Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection to strengthen the consumer protection movement in the state and bring transparency in the direct selling sector.

According to IDSA’s 2023-24 annual report, Maharashtra ranks first in India’s direct selling sector. The turnover of this sector in the state is around ₹ 2,879 crore and Maharashtra has a 13 percent share in the total market of the country. More than 10 lakh direct sellers are working in the state and 3.9 lakh women across the country are involved in this business. Women entrepreneurship is getting a big boost especially through savings groups under Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (Mavim).

Diggikar said, “Laws and regulations are effective only when they are implemented at the grassroots level. A safe market can only be created through a balance between consumers being aware and companies behaving responsibly.”

A seminar was held on the topic ‘Smart Consumer, Empowered Market’ in the conference. In this, Central Mumbai District Consumer Grievance Redressal Commission Chairperson Vandana Mishra, Adv. Uday Varunjikar as well as industry representatives guided. Detailed information was provided on how consumers should choose a reliable direct selling platform and how to use the complaint redressal mechanism effectively.

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Success stories of women self-help groups and direct sellers were presented in the session ‘Women’s Empowerment through Entrepreneurship’. Special honors were given to Gyanada Safat Group of Sangli, Jai Mahila Safat Group of Dhule district etc. President of IDSA Dr. Ratnesh Lal, Vice President Aparajita Sarkar and officials of various departments and industry dignitaries were present.