New India vision is consumer empowerment: Modi

New Delhi, Oct 26: The vision of New India is to move ahead from consumer protection towards best consumer practices and prosperity with the focus on consumer empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said. Addressing an International Conference on Consumer Protection here, Mr Modi said, "Protection of consumer interests is a priority of the government. This is also reflected in our resolution of the New India. Moving beyond consumer protection, New India will have best consumer practices and consumer prosperity". The PM said GST which was implemented by his government recently would benefit the consumer and middle class the most. Due to GST, several indirect and hidden taxes have ceased to exist. He said the conference was important as it sought to discuss how to understand and fulfill the aspirations and requirements of consumers. Mr Modi inaugurated the International Conference on Consumer Protection for East, South and South-East Countries with the theme of “Empowering Consumers in New Markets”. Those present were Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, Minister of State CR Chaudhary and other officials. UNI