CCEA approval for Consumer Awareness Scheme

New Delhi, June 22 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved the implementation of the Plan Scheme for creation of consumer awareness during the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07).

It also gave ex-post-facto approval for an expenditure of Rs 8.80 crores incurred during the first three years of the Tenth Plan.

The proposal also entails an ex-post approval for incurring an expenditure of Rs 70 crore provided under Revised Estimates (RE) 2005-06 on the plan scheme of consumer awareness campaign during the year 2005-06 and continuing expenditure during 2006-07. This is being done with the approval of Minister for Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Administration pending Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and CCEA approval.

The Cabinet approval is also for incurring expenditure amounting to Rs 148.80 crores subject to revision as per RE for the scheme during the Tenth Five Year Plan.

Briefing newspersons on the outcome of the CCEA meeting, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the decision will contribute to emergence of consumers who, irrespective of age, socio-economic class or gender are empowered enough to make ''free, fair and informed choices'' of products or services with the help of ''information, standards and safeguards that are available, accessible and responsive.'' UNI GS VD HS1554