Patna, Dec 24 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today stressed on making the consumers aware of their rights under the Consumer Protection Act to safeguard their interests.

Addressing a seminar here to mark the National Consumers' Day, Mr Kumar said the Act provided three-tier system to protect their interests.

He said claims up to Rs 20 lakh could be made at district consumer forum, while state consumers' forum could dispose of the claims up to Rs one crore.

Consumers seeking claims of more than Rs one crore could seek their redressal at National Consumers' forum, he added.

'' Consumers more often than not fail to seek claims for deficiency in services and poor quality of goods even when they are aware of these provisions in the Act, '' he stated.

'' Consumers should gather all relevant information about the goods they are purchasing which would help them seek redressal of their grievances and claims at appropriate forum, '' he suggested.

Referring about the importance of right to information, Mr Kumar said steps were made to provide information to the people on demand in least possible time, adding Bihar would soon become the first state in the country to provide information to the people telephonically on demand.

UNI XC RS SJC SBAHT1709