NCH receives maximum calls against products, telecom in Sept

New Delhi, Nov 2 (UNI) National Consumer Helpline (NCH) received 2,921 calls during the September 2006 against 3,374 in the previous month, registering the highest percentage of 24.57 per cent calls for defective products followed by 18.98 per cent calls from the telecom sector against all the major service providers.

The maximum number of complaints (41.94 per cent) were from Delhi followed by Maharashtra (10.16 per cent).

Complaints were also received by NCH from Chandigarh (0.35 per cent) followed by Jammu and Kashmir (0.14 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh and Goa (0.04 per cent) each.

It has been noticed that Helpline receives very few calls or no calls from North-Eastern States generally from states like Sikkim, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura etc.

The highest percentage of calls was in respect of defective products registering 24.57 per cent of the total complaints received by NCH in September.

The products involved include Aluminium foil, Air conditioner, Camera, Central Locking System, CD Player, Computer, DTH, DVD Player, Microwave, Mobile, Washing Machine, and Television etc, according to a release by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution here today.

Telecom sector accounted for the second largest percentage of complaints with 495 calls (18.98 per cent). The complaints were mainly against service providers like BSNL, MTNL, Airtel, Tata Indicom, Reliance, Idea, Hutch and Spice besides broadband service providers like IQARA, BSNL, Sify, VSNL and Tata.

Complaints against banks marked 8.13 per cent mainly against State Bank of India, ICICI, Punjab National Bank, Citi Bank, Standard Chartered etc.

Insurance related problems like rejection and delay claim delivery, refusal to honour claims and unsatisfactory redressal and arbitrary reduction in claim amount etc accounted for 3.03 per cent involving LIC, Tata AIG, ICICI Lombard, ICICI Prudential, New India Assurance, National Insurance and Oriental Insurance.

NCH received complaints against electricity sector from all parts of India, which marked 2.3 per cent of the total calls received in September while the number of complaints against BIS certification relating to hallmarking and against jewellers was 1.23 per cent.

Unsatisfactory service of LPG supply attracted 4.83 per cent of the total calls.

NCH supports consumers by guiding consumers in finding solutions to problems related to products and services; providing consumers information related to companies and regulatory authorities, facilitating consumers in filing complaints against defaulting service providers and empowering consumers to use available consumer grievances remmmmdrmessal mechanisms and developing consumer awareness about their rights and responsibilities, the release added.

UNI BBS KR VV1842