World Consumer Rights Day was commemorated in various parts of the state as part of the week-long celebrations.
Phek town observed World Consumer Rights Day under the aegis of Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection Phek and Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) on Friday.
Colony leaders and representatives from Phek Town Youth Society, Phek Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Phek Town Chakhesang Students Union attended the programme.
Keynote address was delivered by Assistant Controller LMCP, Shekhozo Rhakho, who highlighted on the importance of World Consumer Rights Day and the importance of rights of consumer. He mentioned that every consumer has a right on purchase of products and services and called for protection of their rights by reporting to the appropriate authorities for action.
Speaking on the theme “Sustainable Consumer”, District & Sessions Judge-cum-PDLSA chairperson, Mezivolu T.Therieh urged to join hands together with all the rest of the world calling for global changes to avert environmental breakdown.
“We are feeling the effect of climate change and you and I as consumers have a vital role to play. Climate change is a global challenge and all should voice together to live healthy and sustainable lifestyles. We must use products and services that have minimal impact on the environment so as to enable future generation to meet their needs”, she added. Therieh appealed to sensitize the public and focus on waste management, recycling, reducing food wastage and avoiding unsustainable products and to encourage the consumers to abide by the regulations and laws meant to protect them.
Speaking on the topic “Consumer Protection Act & its Legal Implications”, Panel Lawyer PDLSA, Sekhotso Rokha stated that Consumer Protection Act, 2019 has recently replaced the three decade old Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The new Act proposes a slew of measures and tightens the existing rules for further safeguard of consumer rights and introduction of an Act having strict penalties for misleading advertisements.
The programme was chaired by Diezie Vadeo while PLV, Nuveku Soho gave concluding remarks. Correspondent
KLC: Kohima Law College (KLC) observed “World Consumer Rights Day” under the theme, “The Sustainable Consumer” on March 13.
A press release from media cell KLC stated that while delivering the keynote address, teacher in-charge, assistant professor and president NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi said that world consumer rights day was first celebrated in 1993 and became an important annual occasion for mobilising citizen action and solidarity within the international movement and that the celebration gives an opportunity to allow consumers demand that their rights are respected and protected.
Meanwhile, the aim of sustainable consumption was to increase resource efficiency and fair trade while helping to alleviate poverty and enable everyone to enjoy a good quality of life with access to food, water, energy and more. It also stated that sustainable consumer behaviour was consumer behaviours that improve social and environmental performance and meet their needs as well. Earlier, four topics which were rights of a consumer, duties of a consumer, how to file complaint before the district forum/state commission and relief/compensation to be awarded in favour of the complainant/consumer were presented by four students of LL.B 6th semester Lipokyanger Atsanchunger, Vivenne Kapfo, Methse Devina Therie and B. Amet Phom.
NVCO: Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) observed the second day of a week-long celebration of World Consumer Rights Day on March 10 at Nagaland State Consumer Helpline office, D-Block, Kohima. A press release issued by press & media cell NVCO stated that president of NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi maintained that Nagaland State Consumer Helpline is a project initially granted by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India and now runs by the state government which provides counselling on all products and services. He said that it will develop data base information relating to the state and this Helpline as an alternate consumer dispute redressal mechanism functions through a toll free No. 1800 – 345 – 3701 where a citizen can call and seek information, advice or guidance for his day to day consumer problems.
The main purpose for providing toll free number is for public utility where the call charges would go to the Helpline and not to the one who is calling, he added.
The Nagaland State Consumer Helpline situated at D-Block, Kohima has been receiving calls from all over the districts as the only Helpline in the state. This helpline is receiving calls covering various services and products like banking, telecom, insurance, national food security, LPG, postal, courier, transport including complaints related to MRP, labelling, price-rise, sub-standard goods in the market, weight and measurement etc.
At the first instance, the complainant is advised to take up the matter with the concerned trader, manufacturer or company. In case, his problem still remains unresolved, he is advised to approach the respective trade associations, industry regulations, ombudsman and the concerned government departments relating to the industry. It is only as last resort that the complainant is advised to approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum or State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission depending on pecuniary jurisdiction.
The most important facet of the State Consumer Helpline, apart from provision of infrastructure for setting up and running of the scheme is building of human resource. The citizen/consumers are welcome to call up Toll Free No. 1800-345-3702 during the office hours for any query related to consumer problems.