Food Minister witnessed adulteration demo:Yellow turns red; Rajput says adulterators feeding slow poison, urges consumers to be firm

An event was organised at Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre in Bhopal on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day. Before attending the ceremony, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Govind Singh Rajput visited an exhibition set up at the venue. The exhibition demonstrated how adulteration occurs in different food items and how consumers can identify it. At one of the stalls, the minister witnessed a live demonstration showing how turmeric can be adulterated. As soon as the staff member placed a sample of turmeric in a chemical solution, its colour changed from yellow to red. The minister was surprised to see the result and later mentioned the demonstration in his address. Minister Was Shocked Before delivering his speech, Rajput toured the special exhibition organised in the auditorium premises. The aim of the exhibition was to make people aware of food adulteration and the methods to detect it. At one stall, the minister personally observed a test being conducted on turmeric. When the sample was dipped into a chemical solution, its colour immediately changed from yellow to deep red, indicating adulteration. Witnessing the demonstration first-hand surprised the minister, who later highlighted the issue during his speech. Become a Stubborn Consumer Like Dr. Gaur Rajput urged consumers to stand firmly for their rights, citing the example of renowned philanthropist and legal expert Dr. Harisingh Gour from Sagar. He said Gour was so aware of his rights that when his vehicle’s tyre burst due to a damaged road, he filed a claim against the Public Works Department and fought the case for years until the department accepted its mistake. The minister said the country needs such “stubborn consumers” who do not give up while pursuing action against corruption and malpractice. Major Discrepancy in Weights Too: 2 kg and Half kg Weights Found Equal During the exhibition, the minister also pointed out irregularities in weighing systems at a stall of the weights and measures department. He said he noticed that even when the weighing scale was held properly, the weights of 2 kg and half a kg were showing the same reading. He urged people to carefully check weighing scales and weights while making purchases. Online Hearing Facility from Home The minister provided information about the new Consumer Protection Act 2019, explaining that filing complaints has become easier. Online Complaints: Consumers can now present their cases through digital means. Video Conferencing: There’s no need to make repeated visits to court for hearings anymore, consumers can participate in hearings from home via video calls. 6 Key Rights: The law includes the right to choose, right to be informed, right to safety, right to be heard, right to seek redressal, and right to consumer education. In the end, the minister warned that unfair trade practices and adulteration can only be curbed when common citizens recognize their power and do not hesitate to file complaints. Over 14 thousand cases resolved at district level Rajput said the process of resolving consumer complaints has accelerated in state and district consumer commissions. According to data, around 3,000 cases have been resolved in the state consumer commission by 2025–26, while district consumer commissions have settled more than 14,000 cases. Regarding online complaints, more than 7,500 cases have been registered at the state commission and over 26,000 at district commissions since December 2020. Member Dr Monica Malik said 2,574 cases have been resolved this year, while 2,285 new cases have been registered. Katni institution receives honor worth one and quarter lakh rupees During the programme, voluntary consumer organisations that performed outstanding work in 2025 were honoured. In the institutional category, the first prize of ₹1.11 lakh was awarded to the Akhil Bharatiya Upbhokta Utthan Sangathan from Katni. The second prize of ₹51,000 went to the Natural Therapy College Committee from Gwalior. For the best stall at the exhibition, the first prize went to Food Corporation of India, the second to Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation and the third to the Food and Drug Administration. Chhatarpur and Ujjain students dominate in essay and poster competitions Winners of competitions organized for students were also honored. Poster Competition: Ashwita Porwal from Ujjain secured first, Rani Chaudhary from Indore second, and Khushboo Raikwar from Chhatarpur third position. Essay Competition: Shubhi Sen from Chhatarpur won first, Tapasya Kushwah second, and Palak Sisodia from Dhar secured third position. On this occasion, Commissioner Karmveer Sharma gave detailed information to consumers about their six main rights – right to choice, right to information, right to safety, right to be heard, right to redressal, and right to consumer education.