DARK SECRETS: Consumer affairs | Vintage Vibes

Government orders cab aggregators to stop advance tipping before ride booking

The government has ordered cab aggregators to cease advance tipping options. This practice was deemed misleading and unfair by consumer affairs officials. Rapido faced a ten lakh penalty for unfair business practices and dark patterns. Investigations into Uber and Ola's practices are currently underway. Tipping remains a voluntary consumer choice…

The Economic Times · Sep 16

Govt's onion buffer stock quality 'good', storage with CWC aids shelf life: Consumer affairs secy Nidhi Khare

The Centre assures good quality of its onion buffer stock, refuting spoilage claims. Dedicated rail rakes are transporting onions to major cities to boost supplies. This initiative is expected to help rein in rising retail onion prices soon. The kharif and rabi crop outlooks are also promising for future availability.…

The Economic Times · Aug 28

FMCG, Retail, Food industry must improve consumer grievance redressal system: Consumer Affairs Secy

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare urged FMCG, food and retail companies to improve grievance redressal as consumer complaints have risen fivefold in five years. She said the government will expand product testing using AI and robotics, simplify BIS quality standards to help industry compliance, and strengthen testing infrastructure while easing…

The Economic Times · Aug 4

Woman Goes To Midas For Her First Oil Change Ever. Then They Give Her A $6,000 Estimate And A Lecture: ‘Do Not Go Back’

"I got berated, I got bullied..."

Motor1 · Jul 9

Grocery Outlet Is Closing 36 Stores but the Deals Are Still Worth It

Grocery Outlet is officially closing three dozen underperforming retail locations this year after experiencing a difficult fourth quarter, according to Consumer Affairs. The discount chain recently admitted that it expanded too quickly and is now scaling back its operations. The East Coast region is seeing the largest impact, with twenty-four…

Grocery Coupon Guide · Jun 23

India to use artificial intelligence for machine-readable standards, says Consumer Affairs Secretary Khare

India's Consumer Affairs Ministry is set to develop advanced, machine-readable standards using AI. This initiative aims to simplify compliance for industries. The Bureau of Indian Standards is transforming to support this modernization. The government is encouraging private sector testing infrastructure. Govt sets up 6 sector-specific groups to identify products to…

The Economic Times · Jun 4

Consumers unlikely to see major impact on food prices over next 2-3 months: Consumer Affairs Secy

The government is closely monitoring the prices of essential food commodities. At present, prices have remained stable and largely range-bound, says Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare.

The Economic Times · May 26

Going On A Road Trip This Summer? Mechanic Says Checking This One Thing 'Can Save You Hundreds'—Or Even Prevent A Crash

"Most people wait until their car breaks..."

Motor1 · May 18

Quality consciousness key to global competitiveness, says consumer affairs secretary

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare urged Indian manufacturers to make quality standards central to operations to strengthen global competitiveness, saying quality, safety and reliability now matter as much as cost and scale.

The Economic Times · May 12

Florida’s real estate ‘gold rush’ draws the super-rich as rising costs push others out

The luxury property surge fuels growth in Miami, but a poll finds many residents weighing an exit over housing and living costs

The Guardian - US · Mar 15