This is a summary of unstarred question number 2843 (OII) addressed to the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to be answered on 17.12.2025.
The question, posed by Dr. Anand Kumar, inquires about the negligible number of women employees in sectors where the consumer base is mainly women, such as garments, cosmetics, health, and nutrition. It also asks whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory for public and private enterprises with a major female consumer base to appoint women employees. It asks for details of steps taken and potential future policies on this.
The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Shri B.L.Verma) states that the Department of Consumer Affairs is continuously working for protection and empowerment of consumers by enactment of progressive legislations and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The act deals with the consumers as a whole. The Department of Consumer Affairs does not maintain data regarding women employees in particular sectors.
Key Entities Referenced
Consumer Protection Act, 2019: The Act aims to modernize consumer protection framework.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The ministry responsible for consumer affairs and food distribution, answering the question in the document.
Lok Sabha: The parliament house to which the question was addressed.
ORIGINAL IN HINDI
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2843 (OIH)
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN ESTABLISHMENTS
2843. DR. ANAND KUMAR:
(OIH)
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether sectors like garments, cosmetics, health, nutrition and other similar sectors wherein the
consumers are mainly women, the number of women employees in these establishments is negligible
despite women being the main consumer base in these sectors;
(b) whether the Government proposes to make it mandatory for enterprises in both public and private
sectors, wherein the major consumer base is women to appoint women employees so as to provide
greater security, convenience and trust to women customers;
(c) if so, the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government so far in this direction; and
(d) if not, whether the Government proposes to bring any policy on this in the near future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (d) : Department of Consumer Affairs is continuously working for protection and empowerment
of consumers by enactment of progressive legislations. With a view to modernize the framework governing
consumer protection in the era of globalization, technologies, e-commerce markets etc., the Consumer
Protection Act, 2019 was enacted. The Act deals with the consumers as a whole. No such data regarding the
women employees in particular sectors is maintained by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
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