Latest news with #ConsumerProtectionAct
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Telangana urges audit of big irrigation projects, moots farmer-centric reforms; demands MSP for all crops with state authority on pricing
Telangana has advocated for a comprehensive audit of large irrigation projects before a Supreme Court panel, highlighting their impact on agricultural sustainability HYDERABAD: As debates continue around the cost and viability of the Kaleshwaram irrigation project, Telangana has made a strong case before the Supreme Court-appointed high-powered committee on agricultural crisis-constituted in the aftermath of the Punjab farmers' protests against central farm laws. During their interaction with the committee over the last two days in Haryana, Telangana representatives called for a comprehensive audit and review of investments in large irrigation projects, citing their direct impact on agricultural sustainability. They proposed promoting small-scale, individually-owned irrigation systems as a viable alternative to the current large-scale, publicly-managed projects, which often come with significant financial and ecological burdens. A key recommendation was to issue insurance policy documents to farmers, similar to health and life insurance formats, to offer better financial security in the face of crop failure and unpredictable climatic conditions. Telangana Rythu Commission chairperson M Kodanda Reddy, Telangana Seed Development Corporation chairperson S Anvesh Reddy, and other members of the Telangana team also stressed the importance of developing multiple use water systems, arguing that water should serve various agricultural and non-agricultural needs. Improve existing infra "Site selection for irrigation projects should be done carefully to minimise negative environmental and social impacts," they noted, while advocating for improving the efficiency of existing infrastructure and reclaiming degraded farmland instead of building new projects. Among other crucial points raised: State-wise water resource management plans should be formulated. The minimum support price (MSP) should be extended to all crops, with focus on crops like turmeric, jaggery, and mustard, given escalating input costs. Telangana also proposed that states be empowered to set their own MSP. The farmer should be recognised not just as a producer but also as a consumer, who routinely faces issues such as poor quality inputs, lack of after sales service, price manipulation, and weight fraud - areas where the Consumer Protection Act fails to fully safeguard farmers . Telangana urged the creation of special legal provisions for farmers as consumers.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
5 wardrobe staples every closet should swear by: From white shirts to Little Black Dresses
Fast fashion might come and go faster than your mood on a Monday morning, but wardrobe staples? They're forever. These are the ride-or-die pieces your future self will thank you for. They go with everything, demand zero brainpower to style, and somehow always manage to look effortlessly put-together. So if you're building a capsule wardrobe or just trying to get dressed without a meltdown, these five fashion OGs have your back. Crisp, oversized, fitted, or borrowed from your dad—there's no wrong way to wear a white shirt. It can be tucked into jeans for brunch, layered under a dress for that French-girl vibe, or knotted at the waist when you're feeling flirty. It's classic, clean, and impossible to mess up. Pro tip: thrift one from the men's section for extra swagger. If you lean Western or desi, a sleek black piece is your outfit chameleon. A black tank top can go from gym to glam with a swipe of lipstick, and can be paired with jeans and sneakers. It's flattering, versatile, and always there when you don't know what to wear. Skinny, baggy, flared, or ripped—find your fit and hold on tight. A good pair of jeans is like your oldest friend: reliable, forgiving, and makes you look great even when life's a mess. They go with everything and somehow look better the more you wear them. Thrift stores are denim heaven, especially if you love that perfectly worn-in feel. Cocktail party? Awkward date? Office dinner? The LBD is your no-fail solution. It doesn't have to be tight or tiny—just black, beautiful, and makes you feel unstoppable. Throw on bold earrings or a blazer and it transforms. Audrey Hepburn made it iconic, but your version should feel like you. Find one secondhand and you've got sustainable elegance on speed dial. Not all heroes wear capes—some wear high-waisted black leggings. They're there when you're bloated, running errands, doing yoga, or just can't be bothered. Dress them up with a structured jacket or keep it chill with an oversized tee. Either way, your comfort-to-style ratio stays unmatched. And yes, you can absolutely wear them as pants. These five staples are the backbone of any wardrobe; trend-proof, effortless, and endlessly repeatable. If you're dressing up or just surviving Monday, they're always a good idea. So invest wisely, love them hard, and remember: basics don't mean boring, especially when they fit your life (and your vibe) just right. High-waist gym leggings that sculpt, support & slay: Best picks for workouts Baggy jeans: Tighter than my deadlines? No, thanks - 'Bring on the baggy jeans!" The hottest tank tops on Myntra fwd: Upgrade your summer wardrobe now! Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru faces surge in auto fares after bike taxi ban, commuters demand solutions
Bengaluru is observing a steep increase in auto rickshaw and taxi fares following a directive from the Karnataka High Court on Monday to cease bike taxi services across the state. Commuters are now reporting fare increases up to 25 per cent. Many said Uber had the steepest fare surge. Sukrutha Shavanak, a commuter, said the fare from Singasandra to Jayanagar, which comes up to around 8 km, costs ₹190, however, rides from Singasandra to Electronics City, which is 4 km, are priced at ₹180. 'This price hike has been in play even before bike taxis were banned,' she said. READ | Ola, Uber, Rapido bike taxis banned in Karnataka starting today: 'Not a side income, this is how we survive,' say driver Prathiksha Harish, a techie, echoed the same, saying ride fares have become costlier since mid-May. A ride from Electronic City to Koramangala 6th Block now costs ₹90 more than usual, she said. 'I used to pay ₹350 from home to office, but now I pay ₹440." Hindustan Times also observed that a 11 km taxi ride from Vajarahalli metro station to Srinagar, which would usually cost a maximum of ₹350, was now priced well above ₹450. READ | Bengaluru bike-taxi ban: Over 100 illegal two-wheelers seized on day 1 of enforcement Many are also encountering longer wait times, with auto rides only available if tips are added. A senior executive from a major ride-hailing platform attributed the surge pricing to increased demand, saying that the demand for autos has naturally spiked after bike taxis have been taken off the roads, which has led to higher fares, according to a Deccan Herald report. READ | 'Difficult but helpless': Uber responds on Karnataka government's ban on bike taxis Several commuters from Bengaluru lamented the new bike taxi ban on social media, with one writing, 'For a distance of 2.2 kms, fare from different apps for auto is Rs. 60-101. Actual fare should be 33. On what basis these exorbitant rate have been calculated. On top of it you ban bike taxi also?' 'First you failed to manage traffic, then you banned the one thing that worked—bike taxis. This isn't governance, it's punishment. We Need Bike Taxi,' another posted. 'Not even 8am, and #Bengaluru is choked already. Thanks to the #biketaxi ban, had to take an auto. Give me walkable shortest paths to the bus stops, and bike lanes, please. This is no way to create cities,' another post read. Ride-hailing platforms have often come under the radar of the transport department for illegally charging exorbitant rates. In this light, an advocate noted that affected commuters can seek legal remedies under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which addresses 'Unfair Trade Practices', the Deccan Herald report added.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Zawya
Volkswagen Group issues recall for Polo and Taigo models in South Africa
Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has issued a safety recall for 142 Polo vehicles and eight Taigo models due to a potentially dangerous fault in the passenger airbag system. The affected vehicles, sold between December 2022 and January 2024, may contain defective gas generators in the front passenger airbag module. According to the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the defect could result in the airbag failing to deploy properly during an accident. In some cases, the gas generator housing might rupture or dislodge fragments into the cabin, significantly increasing the risk of serious or fatal injuries to passengers. The NCC confirmed it was officially notified by VWSA of the fault. As a precaution, affected owners are being urged to deactivate the front passenger airbag and to avoid using the front passenger seat entirely until repairs have been completed. VWSA has advised customers to visit any approved dealership for an inspection and replacement of the affected components if necessary. The recall affects 141 Polo units released for sale nationally from 20 December 2022, along with one additional Polo and eight Taigo vehicles sold from 29 January 2024. The NCC emphasised that this recall falls under the Consumer Protection Act, which allows the commission to act swiftly in the interest of public safety. While this recall is relatively limited in scale, it follows a broader safety campaign by Volkswagen Group South Africa in 2025 involving over 900 Polo sedans recalled for faulty rear-seatbelt latch plates, as reported by The Citizen. On the global stage, Volkswagen has also conducted major airbag-related recalls, including one in the U.S. covering more than 114,000 vehicles with Takata inflators that risk exploding due to propellant degradation, as reported by Reuters. Consumers can use Volkswagen South Africa's online recall tool to check whether their vehicle is affected. The NCC is urging swift action, warning that ignoring the recall could expose vehicle occupants to severe harm in the event of a collision. For further information, affected customers may contact the NCC directly or reach out to VWSA dealerships for immediate assistance. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Wrong delivery costs e-commerce giant ₹22,000
In a strong message to e-commerce platforms, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ludhiana, has directed Amazon India to refund the full amount to a consumer for delivering a wrong product and failing to resolve the issue despite repeated complaints. The commission also imposed a compensation of ₹7,000 on the company for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice. The order came in response to a complaint filed by Sunil Bajaj, a resident of Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana, who had ordered a Glen 90cm 1200 m³/hr BLDC filterless auto-clean chimney through Amazon on August 15, 2024, as part of an Independence Day discount offer. The chimney was priced at ₹14,414.82 against its original MRP of ₹17,290. Bajaj had also purchased an extended warranty plan worth ₹694.05 from Acko Insurance through Amazon. The complainant made the payment using his son's credit card and the product was to be delivered by August 17, 2024. However, on August 18, the product was delivered in his absence without generating any OTP verification. To his shock, Bajaj later discovered that the item received was a different chimney model, billed to another customer named Anmol from Amritsar, priced at ₹11,990. Despite multiple calls and emails to Amazon's customer support, including assurances from executives, the issue remained unresolved. Instead of rectifying the mistake, Amazon allegedly advised the complainant to place a fresh order at the current market price of ₹20,999, and assured that the price difference would be credited to his Amazon Pay balance after the return window expired. The Commission, after examining all records, concluded that Amazon had indulged in unfair trade practice as defined under Section 2(47)(viii) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The panel noted that the company neither replaced the wrongly delivered item nor refunded the amount within the stipulated time. The commission's presiding officer Sanjeev Batra and member Monika Bhagat observed that the complainant had been caused mental harassment and financial loss, and held Amazon accountable for negligent service. The e-commerce giant was ordered to refund the price of the product, ₹14,414.82 and ₹694.05 for the extended warranty. The commission also directed Amazon to pay ₹7,000 as compensation and litigation cost.
