Expressing concern over growing instances of harassment and exploitation of grocers by “abusive individuals on flimsy grounds almost on a daily basis” in Mokokchung over perceived ‘adulteration’ of rice with PDS rice, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) has stated that the ‘perception’ was a gross “misjudgment” of the situation.
In a press note, president MCCI, Tsukti Longkumer and general secretary, Limalenden Longkumer, lamented that grocers were being accused, without any evidence, of adulterating rice with “PDS rice” and were often being abused and victimized for no fault of theirs at all.
In this regard, MCCI, “being the custodian of preserving traders’ rights,” has warned that while it considers all customers as esteemed guests and was committed to best serve the people, it shall take its own stand when its rights were being violated or abused.
MCCI also cautioned anybody accusing a trader of selling “adulterated rice” without any evidence could be taken to task for slander and defamation.
The chamber maintained that natural causes like precipitation and humidity may deteriorate the quality of rice or any product which, however, does not mean that traders were “adulterating” the rice.
It also stated that grocers selling rice in Mokokchung town were neither producers nor manufacturers of rice but mere traders buying from dealers and agencies and reselling them to customers. Therefore, packaging and manufacturing defects, if any, should not be misconstrued as “adulterated rice,” MCCI said.
Stating that rice buyers were given absolute liberty to choose and pick any bag of their choice in any grocery, therefore when a buyer is satisfied with the product of his choice and makes purchase, the transaction ends there.
Therefore, MCCI and the grocery traders selling rice have resolved that rice bags once purchased by a buyer after being satisfied with the quality of the product in the first place shall not be accepted back if returned by the buyer under any circumstances whatsoever, it stated.
MCCI, while stating that it respect its customers and their rights, warned it will not shy away from safeguarding its rights either.
Further, MCCI reminded all concerned that it stands for ethical business practices in the service of the people. As such, any trader found indulging in unethical and illegal business practices prohibited by law shall be dealt with sternly, MCCI warned.