PROGRAMS & REPRESENTATIONS
NICI facilitates engaged discussions between stakeholders in this New Economy by curating and convening regular roundtables, workshops, and online webinars. Brief reports outlining the discussions and resultant policy recommendations. NICI's programs are designed to promote the transfer of knowledge on relevant issues and topics conducted by experienced industry experts. Information on upcoming programs and archives of past sessions, including video recordings of the same can be found here. Kindly note, programs are open to members only, so kindly ensure you have signed up for our free membership first.
Capacity-Building Workshop on Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023
An online capacity-building workshop on the government’s Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns was conducted on July 26, 2024. The goal of the workshop was to equip consumer rights groups to identify dark patterns and learn how to seek redressal against them. With the objective of creating awareness about dark patterns for consumers at a grassroots level and further empowering the network of consumers to take action against them. Following a detailed discussion on the intricacies of consumer protection, the workshop concluded with an interactive session.
ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE ON ELECTRIFYING MEDIUM AND HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES
Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc was invited to a roundtable dialogue on ‘Electrifying the Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Industry’ in Jaipur. Various researchers and industry experts gathered to address the need for electrifying the medium and heavy-duty vehicle industry. The dialogue was organised by CUTS International on 26th October 2023.
THE INAUGURAL SUMMIT OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF VALUES AND VALUE, OXFORD
Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc Associates, was invited in the Inaugural Summit of the Foundations of Values and Value at the Blavatnik School of Government in the University of Oxford on 23-24 January 2023.
ONLINE CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED REGULATIONS ON ONLINE GAMING
New Indian Consumer Initiative (NICI) organized an Online Consultation on Proposed Regulations on Online Gaming on 16th January 2023. It was organized to aid the efforts of the Union Government to create a balanced regulatory framework and provide useful feedback primarily on the above three aspects namely the Self-Regulatory Framework, E-KYC and Grievance Redressal Framework.
The consultation focused on how the proposed regulations could best serve consumers and citizens’ interests while at the same time leading to effective regulation.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON INTERMEDIARY LIABILITY IN INDIA AND THE GRIEVANCE APPELLATE COMMITTEES (GACS)
Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc Associates, contributed to the roundtable discussion on Intermediary Liability in India and the Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs) organized by the Centre for Communication Governance (CCG) at the National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi).
FOOD SYSTEMS DIALOGUE
Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc Associates contributed to the Food Systems Dialogue’s (FSD) Finance and Financial Instruments track on November 15-16, 2022. FSD was organized by Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS) and Socrates Foundation in collaboration with Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Food and Land Use Coalition in India (FOLU India), ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), National Foundation for India (NFI), Public Health Resource Network (PHRN), Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition (TCI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
ROUNDTABLE ON THE TRADE POLICY INDIA NEEDS
Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc Associates contributed to a roundtable on ‘The Trade Policy India Needs’ on October 14, 2022, organized by CUTS International. Suresh Prabhu (Former Cabinet Minister of Commerce & Industry), Montek Singh Ahluwalia (Former Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of India), Naushad Forbes (Co-Chairman, Forbes Marshall) and Pradeep S Mehta (Secretary, CUTS International) were the eminent speakers among others.
PANEL ON UNPACKING THE PUZZLE ON FINANCING THE ENERGY NEEDS IN THE BACKDROP OF COAL PHASE DOWN
Indicc Associates hosted a panel discussion at Just Transition Forum in Asia held from September 07-09, 2022. Organized by Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), the panel focused on ‘Unpacking the Puzzle on Financing the Energy needs in the backdrop of Coal Phase Down’. The discussion was moderated by Abhishek Kumar, Partner, Indicc Associates and the panel comprised Suranjali Tandon (Associate Professor, NIPFP), Neha Kumar (South Asia Programme Head, Climate Bonds Initiative) and Simran Grover (CEO, Bask Research Foundation).
Link: https://asia.fes.de/jtfa
PANEL ON PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON E-COMMERCE IN INDIA
Date: 6 July 2022
Description: In the backdrop of the Rajya Sabha parliamentary Committee Report on e-commerce, the latter’s impact on the future and innovation was discussed in a panel discussion moderated by Sh. Avimukt Dar (Founding and Senior Partner, Indus Law). The panel was comprised of Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda (Ex-MP, Rajya Sabha), Sh. Ramesh Abhishek (Former Secretary, DPIT), Abhishek Kumar (Partner, Indicc), Dr Angshuman Hazarika (Assistant Professor, IIM Ranchi) and D. Daniel Sokol (Carolyn Craig Franklin Chair in Law & Business, USC Gould School of Law).
Discussion on strategic roadmap on competition issues in data markets
Date: 17-18 June 2022
Description: The Roundtable Discussion on Competition Issues in Data Markets was chaired by Dr. Bibek Debroy (Chairman, PMEAC) and Dr. Rajeev Gowda (Ex-MP, Rajya Sabha & Professor, IIM-B), with participation from Abhishek Kumar (Partner, Indicc Associates), Ajay Shah (Curator, XKDR), Ambika Khurana (Director, Netflix), Anil Bhardwaj (Secretary General, FISME), Anirudh Burman (Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace), Ashish Agarwal (Vice President, NASSCOM), Basu Chandola (Associate Fellow, ORF), Deeksha Manchanda (Partner, Chandhiok and Mahajan), Deepak Jacob (Group General Counsel, Dream Sports Group), Dilip Asbe (CEO, NPCI), Hemnagini Dadwal (Partner, AZB & Partners), Jayesh Ranjan (Principal Secreatry IT, Telangana), Meghna Bal (Fellow, Esya Centre), Mihir Rale (General Counsel, Disney), Mohit Chawdhary (Fellow, Esya Centre), Nitin Pai (Co-founder, Takshashila Institution), Noyonila Batra (Junior Fellow, Esya Centre), Payal Malik (Head of Economics, CCI), Pradeep Mehta (Secretary General, CUTS), Praveen Khandelwal (Secretary General, CAIT), Rahul Matthan (Partner, Trilegal), Dr Renuka Sane (Associate Professor, NIPFP), Rishabh Bailey (Advocate and Researcher, XKDR), Sanjay Goel (Ex MeitY Joint Secretary), Dr. Shamika Ravika (Vice President, ORF), Thampy Koshy (CEO, ONDC), Dr. Vibodh Parthasarathi (Associate Professor, Jamia Milia), Vivan Sharan (Secretary, Esya Centre).
World consumer rights day: fair digital finance
Date: 15 March 2022
Description: Indicc Associates and NICI commemorated the occasion through a capacity building exercise of organized consumer groups in Rajasthan in collaboration with CUTS International and independently through its grassroots office in Dholpur, Rajasthan.
Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUgYEiDRt50
Panel on Air Pollution by Air Quality Asia and ORF
Date: 27 February 2022
Description: Member of Parliament Mohd. Jawed stressed on the need to look at issues at source, always a pleasure to be interacting with Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment; Reena Gupta, Advisor, Delhi Government touched upon issues that require a more convergent approach between states. Abhishek Kumar presented views on balancing economic tradeoffs through interstate coordination. Brilliantly moderated by Tanushree Ganguly, Program Lead (Air Quality) CEEW. Thanks, Shazia Rafi and Aparna Roy
Meeting with Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Distribution, Government of India
Date: 6 January 2022
Description: Amendments to Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules
Link: https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2021/08/17/pwr8-new-indian-consumer-initiative.html
india ahead panel discussion on online gaming
Date: 23rd December 2022
Description: A panel discussion on online gaming and busting myths with participants: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Sushil Modi; Senior Advocate Supreme Court Gopal Jain; Abhishek Kumar Founder, Indicc and Convener, NICI; Rameesh Kailasam CEO, Indiatech.org
Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkpOjt95_pM
rIGHT TO BREATHE: AN INTERSTATE DIALOGUE ON AIR POLLUTION BY ORF AND INDICC ASSOCIATES
Date: 18 & 19 December 2021
Description: A regional dialogue of relevant stakeholders from key northern states was convened by ORF and Indicc on 18-19 December 2021 to develop a multidisciplinary strategic framework by leveraging the expertise of a diverse set of individuals, hailing from multiple regions across North India. The convening sought to converge the expertise of various stakeholders to draw out a ‘thought framework’ for reining in and mitigating the problem of air pollution in India
CONcLAVE ON ONLINE GAMING: Ganesan & Manuraj and koan advisory
Date: 3-4 December 2021
Description: The Tamil Nadu Conclave on Online gaming was held on 3rd & 4th December. India is among the largest markets for online gaming in the world in terms of users. The conclave brought together around 15 -20 key representatives from industry, consumer groups, and civil society, as well as policymakers and sectoral experts, to deliberate on relevant challenges and solutions. These included: the development of legal pathways to regulate the industry, and measures to address consumer interest and myriad societal concerns.
INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE 2021
Date: 12-14 Nov 2021
Description: Following the success of the 1st ISC 2020 and to negotiate around the COVID-19 induced travel limitations, SPROUTS partnered with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES-India) to co-organize the 2nd ISC 2021 as an 3-day Online conference on Nov 12-14, 2021. The ISC 2021 aimed to bring together social change drivers, youth, students, leading scientists, policymakers and members representing various socio-economic strata of the community, to develop a common vision on the resilience model necessary, given the current scenario of climate emergencies. ISC 2021 will identify the problems and current challenges of sustainable development, while documenting successful actionable ideas to mitigate the effects of Climate Change and result in social resilience. ISC 2021 followed the United Nations’ (UN) theme for 2021 – International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.
VOICES THAT MATTER: AN INITIATIVE BY BASK FOUNDATION, INDICC ASSOCIATES AND DESERT RESOURCE CENTRE
Date: 15 November 2021
Description: Voices that Matter is an initiative by concerned citizens, institutions, and agencies to understand climate vulnerabilities in Rajasthan, and advocate for appropriate policy action. The initiative seeks to amplify grassroots expressions that transcend academic and technical terminologies. We are pleased to launch a series of dialogues focusing on climate issues in Rajasthan
The Slow Movement: In Haathon Se Ban Raha Bharat
Date: 14 October 2021
Description: Neelesh Misra at The Slow Movement brings together distinguished guests to speak about and celebrate the creators in the economy. Guest speakers include, Harish Yadav and Neelam Yadav, Founders of Athizay; Manish Tiwary, VP Amazon India; and Abhishek Kumar, Convenor, New Indian Consumer Initiative.
Media: Tune in on the Clubhouse App here. (Broadcast at 4.00pm Oct. 14, 2021)
Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) and Consumers
Date: 21 June 2021
Description: New Indian Consumer Initiative (NICI) initiated NICI Convenings in February 2021 which endeavours to discuss diverse consumer interest over a series of webinars. The first NICI Convening entailed a discussion on ‘Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) and Consumer Interests’ with Simran Grover, CEO and Founder of Bask Research Foundation on 6th February 2021. Learn more.
Video: SWatch session recording on Zoom (Password: 5%@ijT=C)
Social Media and Privacy : New IT rules
Date: 31 May 2021
Description: The country is debating privacy of content, role of social media intermediaries and new regulations by the government. What impact will it have on citizens and consumers; social media platforms and content creators need to be understood. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, IIS University in collaboration with Indicc Associates (Co-curator NICI) organised an E-Symposia on May 31st, 2021 to discuss these and other related questions.
Media Coverage: Newspaper Clippings PDF
International Conference on Present and Future Consumerism: Role of Sustainable Living
Date: 15 March 2021
Description: New Indian Consumer Initiative, and Indicc Associates, in collaboration with Consumer Assisto, organized an a panel discussion on Present and Future of Consumerism on 15th March 2021 to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day.
Discussion Topics:
Patterns of sustainable consumption and production in India and role of youth towards sustainable consumption.
Role of academia and legal fraternity to shape sustainable consumerism.
Understanding circular economy and sustainable living.
Mobilizing sustainable finance for sustainable economy.
Information Technology Rules (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) 2021
Date: 05 March 2021
Description: New Indian Consumer Initiative (NICI), in collaboration with Justice Action Network Consultancy, organized a brainstorming session on the new IT Rules, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021, notified on 25th February 2021. The session aimed to discuss multifarious impacts of the rules on online consumers as well as online content creators.
Discussion Topics:
Broad overview of the new IT Rules of 2021
Impact of the rules on social media, digital media (including OTT platforms & news) and consumers.
Key Takeaways:
Consumer voice in essential to understand potential implementation hurdles.
Consumers of platforms should be seen to include those who provide content and those who consume content. Impact on both needs to be understood in greater depth.
A Pan India Consumer Vox pop/survey should be done to have better idea of consumer perception on content regulation.
Discussions will be effective after greater consumer awareness. Hence, more and diverse discussions must take place.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and New Economy
Date: 20 November 2020
Description: Around the world, the concept of legal rights (statutory/ constitutional/ fundamental) is premised on the principle of ubi jus ibi remedium i.e. where there is a right, there is a remedy. Part III of the Constitution of India guarantees certain fundamental rights and provides remedy against their encroachment under Article 32. This remedy was expanded in the form of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) under which the judiciary relaxed norms pertaining to locus standii, thus allowing any publicly spirited person to assert the rights of the affected on their behalf. In subsequent years, the scope of PILs was broadened to include wider issues concerning public accountability, environment protection, judicial appointments etc. Such acts of judicial activism affected positive change, especially towards upholding basic human rights. However, in doing so, courts sometimes transgressed traditional boundaries and assumed the role of law-making – thereby vitiating the cardinal principles of separation of powers and amounting to judicial overreach. Today, PILs dominate the public perception of higher judiciary in India. The total number of letter petitions received by the Supreme Court alone, increased from 24,700 in 1985 to 51,350 in 2018. Litigants tend to burden the judiciary with PILs, seeking the Court’s indulgence in matters ranging from implementation of extant laws (MC Mehta’s PILs vis-à-vis environment protection) to creation of new laws altogether (as in the case of recent PILs seeking regulation of online content). While PILs have played a key role in shaping Indian jurisprudence, the line between judicial activism and judicial overreach remains blurred.
In this context, on November 20th, 2020, NICI organised an interactive session with Mr Gopal Jain, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India on the topic Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and New Economy.
Electricity Act 2020 – Legacy Issues and Moderating Energy Transition
Date: 15 May 2020
Description: Power sector stands at a cross-roads. It struggles with legacy issues while there is thrust on financial sustainability and competition. On other hand, it is witnessing growth of renewables while still carrying the burden of ageing thermal assets. Electricity Act provides the directive principles for the regulators and power sector as a whole. Hence, it is important that we take cognizance of learnings, realities and goals we wish to seek in future. The roundtable was aimed to facilitate a vibrant discussion and facilitate commons grounds for better informed advocacy.
Tentative Agenda: Download PDF
Notes: Webinar Notes PDF
Video: Watch on YouTube
Consumers in the New Economy: Perspectives from the North-East
Date: 02 May 2020
Description: The webinar, among other things, focused on the following:
- Defining the problematique : New Economy, New Consumer;
- Understanding the regional perspectives from participants;
- Introducing NICI and to discuss how best NICI secretariat can assist in furthering consumer interest in the New Economy in the North Eastern Region; and,
- Introducing participants to the activities done so far and prospective activities.
Tentative Agenda: Download PDF
Consumers in the New Economy : Perspectives from Karnataka and Kerala
Date: 22 April 2020
Description: The webinar, among other things, focused on the following:
- Helping the participants to identify the issues affecting consumer interest;
- Discussing the ways to address consumer issues in the best possible way and - to identify existing gaps;
- The role that consumer organisations can play in upholding consumer welfare in TV services; and,
- To identify a forward looking agenda.
Tentative Agenda: Download PDF
Outcome Statement: Download PDF
WORKSHOP ON ‘A NEW CONSUMER FOR THE NEW ECONOMY’
Date: 7 February 2020
Venue: Delhi Management Association, New Delhi
Description: As part of the New Indian Consumer Initiative, the Esya Centre, in collaboration with Indicc Associates, conducted an inaugural workshop to its planned series on the “A New Consumer for the New Economy.” The objective of the half-day workshop was to lay out the vision and aims of the series for consumer groups and individuals, with a focus on broadcasting in light of regulatory changes over the past year.
Report: Download PDF
Proceedings: Audio MP3 | Transcript PDF