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Context

• Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh asserted that integration of artificial intelligence in ‘e-Jagriti’ portal will help reduce the number of pending cases in consumer courts.

About e-Jagriti Portal:

Initiative and Purpose:

• The e-Jagriti Portal is an initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution.
• It serves as a portal for consumer commissions, aiming to enhance the customer experience.

Features and Benefits:

• The portal offers a simple, fast, and cost-effective consumer dispute redressal software solution.
• It integrates various consumer grievance platforms, including the Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), E-Daakhil, the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) Case Monitoring System, CONFONET website, and mediation application, onto a single platform.
• Features include case filing, online fee payment, and case monitoring modules for seamless case disposal.
• It provides a Smart search facility for archived consumer complaints/cases/judgements using AI technology.
• Voice-to-text conversion of judgements, case history, and other details is facilitated using AI/ML technology.
• It integrates a Virtual court facility for convenient and accessible resolution of consumer complaints, reducing time, multiple hearings, and physical court appearances.

Key Facts about the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC):

Establishment and Jurisdiction:

• The NCDRC is a quasi-judicial commission established in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
• It has jurisdiction to entertain complaints valued at more than two crores and has appellate and revisional jurisdiction over the orders of State Commissions or the District, as applicable.

Composition and Head Office:

• The Commission is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of the High Court. Its head office is located in New Delhi.

Appeals Process:

• Any person aggrieved by an order of the NCDRC may prefer an appeal against such an order to the Supreme Court of India within 30 days.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which ministry is responsible for the e-Jagriti Portal, and what is its primary objective? A)Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; to provide a platform for consumer commissions B)Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; to monitor consumer complaints C)Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; to manage consumer disputes D)Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; to enhance customer experience Answer: A) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution; to provide a platform for consumer commissions