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04 Oct 2024 New Delhi: The complaints registered at the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) have seen a significant increase over the past two years, said Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution at a recent event. Attributing the increase in complaints to growing consumer confidence, Khare remarked, “The complaints that we are now getting registered at NCH have doubled in the past two years. And that shows the trust and confidence consumers today have at the National Consumer Helpline.” In addition to the rise in complaints, She highlighted that class action suits by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) have been instrumental in addressing consumer issues. “Through the Central Consumer Protection Authority, the class action matters have resulted in a big way to take care of consumer needs,” she added. Looking ahead, Khare assured that in the coming months, CCPA will be taking service to consumer rights ‘velY seriously.’ Stressing the government’s sharp focus on the growing e-commerce sector, the Consumer Affairs Secretary also said that the government is working towards ensuring that consumers shopping online are better served in terms of delivery times and efficient refunds. Source: Economic Times

01 Oct 2024 You will no longer lose your entire life insurance premium if you surrender your policy in the first year. Under a new rule by the Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) effective today, the surrender value will be available to life insurance policyholders after the first year of premium payment. Previously, policyholders could only surrender their policy after paying at least two full years of premiums, with no surrender value offered in the first year under the old guidelines. However, the increase in surrender value may result in higher costs for life insurers, which is expected to lower returns on both participating (par) and non-participating (non-par) policies. Non-par policies are likely to feel the immediate impact, while par policies may see lower bonuses announced later. Additionally, there could be a shift in commission structures from upfront payments to a trail model to offset the cost increases. In a participating policy, the policyholder shares in the profits of the insurance company in the form of bonuses or dividends. These bonuses are usually declared annually and are based on the insurer’s performance. On the other hand, non-participating policies do not offer such bonuses. Instead, they provide guaranteed benefits like a fixed sum assured, with no link to the company’s profits. Surrendering a policy refers to ending it before its full term and withdrawing from coverage. When this occurs, the policyholder receives a payout called the surrender value or early exit payouts, which is the higher of two amounts: the Guaranteed Surrender Value (GSV) or the Special Surrender Value (SSV). According to the new guidelines, insurers must ensure that the SSV equals at least the present value of the paid-up sum assured, future benefits, and any accrued or vested bonuses, while also accounting for any survival benefits already paid. The interest rate used for these calculations cannot exceed the current yield on 10-year government securities (G-Secs) plus an additional 50 basis points. For example, consider a policyholder with a IO-year policy, a sum assured of Rs 1 lakh, an annual premium of Rs 10,000, and a bonus of Rs 50,000. Under the new rules, the present value of the paid-up sum assured plus the future bonus would amount to Rs 7,823 or 78%. This is calculated as follows: {No. of Premiums Paid} / {Total Premiums to be Paid} * {Policy Returns Upon Maturity} For instance: 1 / 10 = Rs 10,000 Adding the paid-up bonus: Rs 10,000 + Rs 5,000 = Rs 15,000 Discounting this over the remaining term using the 10-year G-Sec rate plus 50 basis points: {Rs 15,000/(1.075)^9} = Rs 7,823 These new regulations will lead to an increase in the surrender value that policyholders receive but would also impact the return from these policies due to increase in costs. Source: Business Today

30 sept 2024 Agartala, Sept 30: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Monday stressed the need for raising more awareness on the Consumer Protection Act. With the changing times, the scope of business has expanded, and consumer protection has become inevitable, he said at an event in Agartala. He was addressing a state-level consumer awareness seminar and launch of Consumer Clubs inlOO schools and 18 colleges organized by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan. The Chief Minister also handed over smart ration cards to a few consumers and launched free distribution of Maida, Sooji and Sugar through PDS for the upcoming Durga Puja. As decided by the Food department, the Chief Minister launched distribution of puja grants of Rs. 2000 to the workers. Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury, Justice Arindam Lodh of the High Court of Tripura and president of Tripura State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mayor Dipak Majumder, Special Secretary to Food department Ravel Hamendra Kumar, Director Nirmal Adhikary and other officials were present. The Chief Minister advised the consumers to collect cash memo in case of any purchase so that they could easily avail legal benefit. He also emphasized the importance of such awareness programmes in educating the people regarding relevant matters including fraud in online purchase. Justice Lodh appreciated the initiative in view of raising awareness on the Consumer Protection Act in this digital era. Chowdhury in his address said, small in size, Tripura holds a significant position in the country in terms of PDS. He highlighted the initiative of digitizing the PDS and other plans to further strengthen this sector. Source: Tripura Times

08 Oct 2024 With October marking the beginning of Cybersecurity Awareness, it’s a crucial time to revisit best practices for staying safe online. Let’s look at a comprehensive set of cybersecurity strategies, aimed at helping individuals navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence. From leveraging biometric authentication to practicing good password hygiene and being cautious of phishing attempts, these practical recommendations ensure that consumers are well-equipped to protect themselves from common cyber threats. Below is a detailed guide on how to stay secure in today’s online world: Cybersecurity Pro Tips: Face Scans and Fingerprints are Safer Than Passcodes: use features like Face ID or fingerprint scans for your devices as much as possible. These are safer than passcodes and devices have good built-in protections for this sensitive information. Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. This gives an important extra layer of security that makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts. If you can’t use something more secure like secure authenticator applications or physical hardware security keys, use your phone number it’s safer than using nothing. If you use MFA for only one thing, use it for your email: that’s what attackers want the most. Think Before You Share Publicly: Think twice before sharing any information publicly — cybercriminals can use it to access your accounts or to convince someone that they’re you. Think about those cute surveys on Facebook with questions about your first car, city you were born in: these are the same kinds of info cybercriminals can use to pretend they’re you and log into and take over your accounts. You Don’t Always Need (to keep) the App: Don’t feel pressured to download an app every time: you can often use the service’s website just as well. Apps collect much more data than websites, including your location, your contact list and other info you might not want to share. If you do download an app, think about deleting it when you’re done using it: you can always reinstall it next time you need it. Beware of Apps You Get Outside of the Big-Name App Stores: Apps from app stores and websites  that aren’t the official big names ones like Google Play, Apple’s App Store, Samsung’s Galaxy Store can be very risky. The official stores have security and privacy standards that can identify malicious activity. Always stick to official sources for downloading apps or, if they’re not on the official app stores, download the app from the developer’s official website or use the app’s web version. Be On Your Guard for Unexpected Q EmajJs and Text Messages: Phishing continues to be one of the most effective tactics cybercriminals use to compromise consumers. If you get an unexpected q .emaiJ or text message, ignore it or at least don’t interact with it (don’t open attachments, don’t click on links). If you think it might be legitimate, reach out directly to who you think sent it and check with them. Question Urgency in Emails and Calls: Cybercriminals use urgency to get you to let your guard down and make bad decisions. If someone contacts you saying they’re from a trusted organization like the IRS, police or your bank and need you to take action quickly or something bad will happen, stop and question it. Go to the trusted source like the number on the back of your credit card to independently validate the request. Practice Good Password Security: Every account should have its own unique complex password. A strong password is at least 12 characters long with a mix of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and punctuation characters. Passwords should not be based on any personal information, and the best ones use a phrase rather than single words. If these passwords are too tough to juggle, try a password manager to stay organized. Keep Everything Updated and Run Security Tools. Make sure all your apps and devices are always fully updated. Be sure to have some sort of security software on all of your phones and computers (even if you have a Mac). Get Rid of End-of-Life Devices and Software: Everything from operating systems to services to Wi-Fi routers “go stale” and must be replaced eventually. For example, it might surprise you, but your internet router is typically only supported with patches and updates for a few years after you get it. Attackers love out-of-date devices. When something is “out of support” it’s stale: get rid of it and replace it with something fresh. Back up Your Data: While ransomware groups are mostly after businesses that can pay higher ransoms, they still go after people at home. It’s still important to have your data backed up so that you don’t have to consider paying a ransom. Put Your Mind at Ease Regarding These Cybersecurity Concerns Part of staying secure requires being able to filter out the noise and prioritize the security actions that matter. Here are things not to worry about. Focus your energy on real risks, not exaggerated threats. Public Wi-Fi is Safer Than You Think: Contrary to outdated advice, public Wi-Fi is generally safe due to encryption used by most websites and apps. Use it freely at airports or coffee shops, but avoid sensitive activities. Beware of Fearmongering Around New Tech Features: Not every new technology is as risky as it’s made out to be. For example, Apple’s NameDrop feature is generally safe and requires specific conditions to function. However, if you’re concerned, you can easily turn it off in settings. Stop Stressing Over Public Chargers: The risk of “juice jacking” (data theft from public chargers) is extremely low. Don’t worry about using public phone chargers — just focus on real, more prevalent threats. Source: Cityair News

09 Oct 2024 The central Delhi District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission has directed an insurer to reimburse Rs 13,525 as medical expenses to a consumer, and said the clause of a minimum 24 hours’ hospitalisation for medical claims is to be “interpreted harmoniously” with facts of a case, including emergency treatment. As the claim rejection caused mental agony and harassment to the the United India consumer, Insurance Company Ltd also had to pay Rs 5,000 compensation to him, the commission said. The commission, comprising its president Inder Jeet Singh and member Rashmi Bansal, was hearing the complaint of Raja Harpal Singh, who said that his wife’s mediclaim was repudiated by United India Insurance on the grounds that hospitalisation in the case lasted less than 24 hours. In a recent order, the commission said that according to the medical records, the complainant’s wife was admitted to hospital in an emergency, given medical treatment and then discharged on the doctor’s advice. “The complainant has proved that his wife was admitted to the emergency ward on March 31 , 2023, at 4:09 AM… The Opposite Party or OP (United India) in its repudiation letter also mentions the time and date of discharge as 6:06 PM on March 31, 2023. It is apparent that hospitalisation is about 13-14 hours, which is less than 24 hours,” it said. The commission said that though clause 15 of the policy mentioned a minimum of 24 hours of hospitalisation to claim the insurance benefit, this clause was “general”, “based on traditional practice” and did not consider “subjective factors”. It said, “There is diversification of the technology in all spheres of life. The medical sciences and its branches are advanced with technology. To put it in simple words, the advancement in technology means speed, accuracy in process and results as compared to traditional or manual tasks etc.” “Thus by the use of advanced equipment and tools in medical diagnosis, tests, reports, evaluations, treatment, management and post-care procedures, the hospitalisation timings of patients are reduced substantially,” the commission added. The commission said the complainant’s wife required hospitalisation in the emergency ward and at the time of hospitalisation, the duration of treatment or stay in the hospital was not known. “The reason for hospitalisation is a medical compulsion, one would always desire not to stay for a longer period in hospital. When there is quick treatment and recovery, then why the patient would stay in a hospital for over 24 hours at the perils of health risk and inflate the bills,” it asked. The commission said the clause needed to be “construed harmoniously with other clauses of policy”, including that of emergency hospitalisation. “The opposite party was not to reject the valid claim simply by the strict literal meaning of 24 hours of clause 15. It is to be interpreted harmoniously with the facts, features and circumstances of this case of treatment in an emergency …” it said. The commission said the insurer could not reject the claim by ignoring the “material factors” of the case and without a “subjective assessment” of a patient’s needs. “Further, it is not rewriting of the contract but to make its construction and interpretation harmoniously with the objective of insurance policy for the purposes of this case of complainant,” it said. The commission concluded that the clause of 24-hour hospitalisation was not invoked properly and that the rejection of the claim was not justified. So deficiency in service and the complainant suffering inconvenience and harassment for non-settlement of the claim was established, said the commission. It directed the insurer to reimburse Rs 13,525 as medical expenses along with Rs 5,000 as compensation for causing mental agony and harassment to the complainant because of claim rejection and Rs 3,000 as litigation costs. Source: Udayavani

30 Sep 2024 Reinforcing its commitment towards illicit tobacco trade prevention, Philip Morris International’s (PMI)affiliate, IPM India intensifies its efforts to tackle the menace to safeguard India’s economic interest & protect consumers. The illicit tobacco trade is a major threat and growing challenge worldwide. As part of its continued efforts towards tackling the illegal trade menace, PMI’s strategy focuses on five critical areas research & intelligence, protecting the supply chain, partnerships, cooperation with law enforcement, and raising awareness. The organization supports and helps law enforcement agencies by inspecting and authenticating seized products and performing forensic evaluations. Additionally, profiles illicit products, shares intelligence on emerging routes and trends shaping the black market, and trains officials on the innovative authentication and security features of products. India has witnessed a significant rise in illicit in recent years and it only seems to rise with time. As per the reports, the total loss to the Govt. of India estimated for 2022, on account of the illicit markets in the tobacco industry is crore, up from crore in 2012, an increase of 46%. FICCI Cascade study 2022 highlights the overall market for illegal cigarettes in India is estimated to be at crore. As per the recent reports, throughout 2023-2024, law enforcement agencies have seized illegal cigarettes across many Indian cities- Guwahati, customs officials, and railway authorities confiscated over 11 lakh sticks on multiple occasions, with the Assam Rifles also making seizures. Visakhapatnam saw the police and customs seize over 21 lakh sticks, while in Vijayawada, the tally reached over 103 lakh sticks, including 75 boxes. Hyderabad’s police force seized 267 cartons and 4.5 lakh sticks. Additionally, Lucknow’s customs officials seized over 2.12 lakh sticks and a substantial number of packs and boxes. Expressing concern over the rise of the illicit tobacco trade, Navaneel Kar, Managing Director, IPM India said, “Eliminating illicit trade has been a longstanding priority for us and continues to be an integral part of our efforts to drive operational excellence and build a sustainable future. In India, PMI has contributed significantly over the past decade, partnering with law enforcement and investigative agencies in the fight against the trade of illegal cigarettes. Public-private partnerships based on an inclusive approach by governments, the private sector, and civil society are vital to helping combat the trade. Interconnected systems and advanced technologies such as digitally verified track-and-trace systems, holograms, QR codes, and RFID tags are essential for monitoring and detecting counterfeit products.” Source: Times Of India

03 Oct 2024 The right-to-repair movement, which advocates for consumers’ ability to fix their own devices, has gained momentum globally, but its progress in India remains slow despite the launch of a dedicated portal in December 2022. In a tech-driven world, consumers often prioritise convenience and instant gratification, sometimes at the expense of privacy and the right to control their devices. As highlighted by a 2019 Washington Post article that exposed Chrome’s extensive use of tracker cookies, privacy concerns are often overshadowed by the dominance of tech giants and the pervasiveness of their products and services. The right-to-repair movement seeks to empower consumers by providing them with the information, tools, and spare parts necessary to repair their own devices, reducing reliance on manufacturers and authorised repair centres. Challenges from Tech Giants However, major tech companies like Apple and Microsoft have historically resisted the right to repair, often making it difficult for consumers to access repair information and genuine parts. Their business models often prioritise selling new devices rather than facilitating repairs. Progress in the West In recent years, legislative efforts in regions like California and the European Union have forced tech companies to embrace the right to repair to some extent. The EU, in particular, has implemented regulations that require manufacturers to provide spare parts, tools, and repair information at reasonable prices, while prohibiting practices that hinder independent repairs. India’s Right to Repair Portal India’s Department of Consumer Affairs launched the Right to Repair portal in December 2022, covering sectors like farming equipment, mobile devices, consumer durables, and automobiles. While the portal lists major tech brands like Samsung, Apple, HP, Lenovo, Boat, Xiaomi, and LG, it currently focuses on providing customer care details and official blogs rather than comprehensive repair information and resources. The Way Forward India’s right-to-repair movement is still in its early stages. To effectively empower consumers, the country needs to implement more robust regulations, similar to those in the EU, that ensure: Availability of Spare Parts and Tools: At reasonable prices from manufacturers. Access to Repair Information: Including manuals, schematics, and software updates. Source: Business Today

Sep 07, 2024 Flooding continues to wreak havoc across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Gujarat saw similar devastation due to heavy rains between August 20 and 29. Every year, states like Assam, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are hit by floods, leading to immense property damage. The financial burden of such destruction can sometimes push individuals and businesses towards bankruptcy. How can you protect yourself if flooding is common where you live? The answer is insurance. Are there specific insurance policies for flood damage? There are no exclusive policies that cover only flood-related damage. However, flood protection can be found within broader insurance policies. “Flood insurance is available through Standard Fire & Special Perils Policy and Householders Insurance Policy,” says Sandeep Katiyar, co-founder and CFO at Finhaat. “Fire and Perils insurance covers damage caused by various events like riots, strikes, floods, storms, and cyclones.” Individuals and institutions can opt for these policies. STFI (Storm, Tempest, Flood, and Inundation) is a named peril in standard Irdai products like Bharat Udyam Suraksha Policy, Bharat Sookshma Udyam Suraksha, and Bharat Griha Raksha Policy. Katiyar explains that these products are designed to protect against various natural disasters, including floods. STFI is an add-on that extends your fire insurance policy to cover additional natural calamities such as storms and floods. While the main focus of fire insurance is on fire-related damages, an STFI cover ensures protection against other disasters like storms and floods, which can strike at any time. Protecting commercial property Beyond the coverage offered by the government, protecting commercial properties like shops, offices, or industrial units requires comprehensive insurance. “Many property insurance plans can be enhanced with a flood coverage add-on, providing protection against flood-related damages, waterlogging, and other water-related incidents,” says Sajja Praveen Chowdary, head of PolicyBazaar for Business. Key insurance plans with flood coverage include: * Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy (SFSP): Protects commercial buildings, equipment, and stock from various risks, with the option to add flood coverage. * Shopkeeper’s Insurance Policy: Designed for small shop owners, this policy covers property and stock, with an option for flood insurance. * Office Package Policy: Offers comprehensive coverage for office premises and equipment, with flood protection to maintain business operations. * Industrial All-Risk Policy: Provides broad coverage for industries, including flood-related damages. What about home insurance? Homeowners have access to the Bharat Griha Raksha policy, a standard home insurance policy launched under the direction of Irdai. “This policy offers coverage for up to 10 years and includes automatic protection for both the building and its contents, up to 20% of the building’s insured value.,” says Suryanarayanan V, Managing Director at Chola MS General Insurance. “For example, under the Centre’s affordable housing scheme, houses valued between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 25 lakh are automatically covered for general contents like appliances,” he explains. These home insurance policies cover a wide range of risks, including damage from floods, storms, and cyclones. They not only protect against structural damage but also cover additional expenses like repainting due to watermarks from heavy rains. Premiums vary based on factors like location, property type, building age, and construction material. However, in some cases, assessing damage after a flood can be challenging, making claim settlements difficult. “For such situations, an alternative product, parametric flood insurance, has emerged. “Parametric insurance operates on predefined parameters, and when those are met, payouts are triggered immediately,” explains Katiyar. Unlike traditional insurance, which requires assessing the damage after an event, parametric insurance is based on measurable metrics like rainfall levels or wind speed. When these predetermined thresholds are exceeded, the policyholder receives compensation without needing to assess individual losses. “Parametric insurance fills the gap between increasing flood risks and the limits of conventional insurance. Instead of indemnifying the actual loss incurred, parametric products offer payouts when predefined thresholds, such as rainfall or heat index, are exceeded. This makes the claims process faster and more transparent,” says Katiyar. How does parametric insurance work? Parametric insurance operates by using predetermined metrics, like cumulative rainfall or wind speed, to trigger payouts. This method bypasses the need for individual loss assessments, allowing funds to be disbursed quickly. For example, a parametric policy for floods caused by heavy rainfall might be structured around cumulative rainfall data. If the rainfall in a region exceeds a set threshold within a certain timeframe, the insured parties receive compensation. The payout increases with the level of rainfall up to a predefined limit, providing timely financial support without needing to assess physical damage. Relatively new, parametric is available in India. “We have offered our clients the product for excess rainfall. This product was designed to protect against risks of low warehouse occupancy arising out of possible excess or deficient rainfall, impacting agri – output. This initiative covered warehouses spread across 17 states,” Katiyar explains. The growing importance of flood insurance “With climate change accelerating, the frequency and severity of floods have increased worldwide. Cities have expanded into high-hazard flood zones by 184% since 1985, according to the World Bank, exposing more people to flood risks. In India, floods have caused an average of $18 billion in economic losses annually over the past five years,” notes Chowdary. He also points out that businesses need to rethink their risk management strategies. “Property insurance covering flood risks and other disasters is a critical component of comprehensive coverage, helping businesses mitigate financial losses from increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.” Recently, India’s ministry of finance instructed public sector insurance companies to ensure swift claim settlements for those affected by the floods in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “The insurance companies have been instructed to ensure swift claim settlements by organising special camps and easing claim processes to provide relief to those affected,” the ministry said in a post on X. In addition, insurance companies have been asked to widely advertise the contact details of nodal officers, making it easier for policyholders to get assistance during this difficult time. Source: Business Standard

Sep 06, 2024 India, with its large and dynamic youth population, faces significant challenges related to fatigue and exhaustion. The survey highlights the urgent need to address factors contributing to this issue and to implement supportive measures to enhance energy and well-being. Conducted by Hansa Research Group, across 10 cities and involving men and women aged 25-45 from NCCS A and B categories, the study represents a population of 20 million. Mumbai: Supradyn, multivitamin brand from Bayer’s Consumer Health division, commissioned the Supradyn Fatigue Survey, a study conducted across 10 cities, revealing that 85 per cent of young Indians wake up tired among other astounding findings. Released in conjunction with National Nutrition Week, the survey aims at raising awareness of the growing nutrition gap and promoting self- care. The findings shed light on the alarming rise in fatigue among India’s working population, with significant regional and demographic variations. India, with its large and dynamic youth population, faces significant challenges related to fatigue and exhaustion. The smvey highlights the urgent need to address factors contributing to this issue and to implement supportive measures to enhance energy and well-being. Conducted by Hansa Research Group, across 10 cities and involving men and women aged 25-45 from NCCS A and B categories, the study represents a population of 20 million. The survey states that 96 per cent of Indians feel they lack essential micronutrients and multivitamins, leading to low energy levels. The survey on fatigue among young urban India in the 25-45 year age group reveals that 83 per cent frequently need breaks due to tiredness, while 74 per cent snuggle with daytime sleepiness or staying alert hampering their productivity. Furthermore, 69 per cent find it difficult to start or complete tasks, and 66 per cent are unable to finish daily activities due to fatigue implying extremely low energy among our working population. Geographically as well, metros like, Pune (57 percent) and Bengaluru (59 per cent) have the highest propoltion of people who feel their diet lacks sufficient micronutrients. Moreover, 78 per cent of those aged 25-35 experience daytime drowsiness, compared to 72 per cent of the 36-45 age group. These findings highlight the significant impact of fatigue on daily life. Sandeep Verma, CountlY Head for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bayer Consumer Health Division, commented, “Our Supradyn Fatigue survey reveals significant fatigue among the workforce, which directly impacts their productivity. These findings underscore the urgent need to address the nutritional gaps in our country.” Prof Dr Ketan K Mehta, Sr Consultant Physician, CardioPulmonologist & Diabetologist, Mumbai commented, “Increased tiredness among youth is a growing concern across the country, as noted by many healthcare professionals. It’s crucial for healthcare providers to address this holistically by promoting not just a balanced diet but also the use of multivitamins to bridge nutritional gaps. Food alone can provide up to 70per cent of essential micronutrients, leaving a significant gap. As ahealthcare practitioner, I recommend a healthy diet combined with daily supplements to ensure up to 100 per cent nutrient intake.” Source: Economic Times

Sep 05, 2024 The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has cancelled a decision of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to disconnect drinking water supply connection to a family, that includes a pregnant woman, in Thripunithura. The Commission comprising president D.B. Binu and members V. Ramachandran and Sreevidhia T.N. issued the verdict on a petition filed by Murali K. Menon, a resident near Siva Temple in Kumbalam, against KWA Thripunithura sub division represented by its Assistant Executive Engineer. The complainant moved the petition on Wednesday and the Commission straightaway passed the verdict. The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has cancelled a decision of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to disconnect drinking water supply connection to a family, that includes a pregnant woman, in Thripunithura. The Commission comprising president D.B. Binu and members V. Ramachandran and Sreevidhia T.N. issued the verdict on a petition filed by Murali K. Menon, a resident near Siva Temple in Kumbalam, against KWA Thripunithura sub division represented by its Assistant Executive Engineer. The complainant moved the petition on Wednesday and the Commission straightaway passed the verdict. “The opposite party shall reconnect the water connection of the complainant soon on receipt of a copy of this order without fail,” said the Commission in its verdict. The complainant had time till September 12 to clear outstanding dues of ₹22,242. However, the connection was disconnected a week prior to it without considering the deadline. The right to drinking water is a fundamental right and its unfair denial is unacceptable, the Commission observed while passing the verdict. Considering the emergency nature of the petition, the Commission passed the verdict without hearing the Kerala Water Authority’s counter arguments. The case will be taken up again on September 12 when the opposite party will have to explain its action. Source: The Hindu