National Consumer Helpline facilitates Rs 1 crore refund to students from coaching centres


PTI, Sep 22, 2024, 5:24 PM IST

The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) has facilitated a refund of Rs 1 crore in enrolment fees to students and aspirants of various competitive exams, including UPSC Civil Services and IIT entrance, the government said on Sunday.

 

The refunds were processed at a pre-litigation stage following intervention by the Consumer Affairs Ministry after students from across the country raised grievances against coaching centres offering classes for various competitive exams.

 

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said, “This action reaffirms our commitment to ensure that coaching institutions adhere to fair practices and honour the rights of consumers.” The NCH initiated a drive to resolve these grievances on a mission-mode after receiving numerous complaints regarding unfair practices by coaching centres, particularly their refusal to refund enrolment fees, an official statement said.

 

NCH received 16,276 grievances from students in 2023-2024, up from 5,351 in 2022-2023 and 4,815 in 2021-2022. In 2024 alone, 6,980 students have approached NCH for speedy redressal of their grievances at a pre-litigation stage.

 

Complaints included unfulfilled promises, inadequate teaching quality, and abrupt cancellations of courses.

 

The ministry cited success stories, including a Bengaluru student who received a refund of Rs 3.5 lakh and a Gujarat student who was granted a refund of Rs 8.36 lakh after NCH intervention.

 

Students can register their grievances by calling the toll-free number 1915 or through the portal www.consumerhelpline.gov.in.

 

The Consumer Protection regulator CCPA has taken action against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices in the coaching sector, including penalizing several coaching centres.

 

The ministry has directed coaching centres to adopt a more student-centric approach and ensure transparency in course offerings and quality standards.

 

This initiative aligns with NITI Aayog’s recommendations for improving dispute resolution processes and strengthens the pre-litigation platform for prompt grievance redressal across sectors.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ make gravity-defying theatre debuts

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Perth Test, Day 4: Siraj removes Smith as Australia go into lunch at 104 for five

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit nets following arrival in Perth, will play two-day game in Canberra

UP: Misled by ‘Google Maps’, car falls into river from incomplete bridge, 3 dead

Related Articles More

Organised crime module busted with arrest of three: Punjab Police

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Independent winner extends unconditional support to BJP

BMW hit-and-run case: HC refuses to release accused Mihir Shah on ground of ‘illegal’ arrest

Those rejected by people trying to control Parliament: PM Modi

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Bengaluru: BBMP garbage truck driver dies after tree branch falls on him

Organised crime module busted with arrest of three: Punjab Police

Six junior artists of Kannada film ‘Kantara’ injured in accident in Karnataka

MNS at risk of losing recognition, symbol after drawing blank in Maharashtra polls

Karnataka HC rejects plea to quash FIR in Rs 69 lakh Amazon scam case

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.