‘Consumers in Nagaland are being exploited by traders’

Dimapur, Sep. 27 (EMN): Consumers in Nagaland are being exploited in many areas like traders selling sub-standard goods and products in the market, charging excessive price, poor services, frequent rise of price in goods and services, etc., said Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) president Kezhokhoto Savi.

A press release issued by NVCO has informed that Savi made the statement while speaking on the importance of knowing consumer’s rights and duties during an awareness campaign held at Addl. Dy. Commissioner (ADC) Conference Hall, Pfutsero on September 24.

Savi, who is also an asst. professor and an advocate, highlighted the menace of illegal collection of taxes at check-gates, highways and others including practice of lease system, syndicate, and illegal deduction of certain percentage from developmental funds as commission, party fund, etc., which take a toll on consumers in the form of price rise. He asked the consumers to check weight which buying things like meat, LPG etc.

“Sometime the tare weight varies but mostly gross weight is 29.9 kg, tare weight is 15.5 kg and net weight is 14.5 kg. It is compulsory for the LPG dealers to keep weighing machine to check the net weight in their business premises. While buying the full set gas connection you pay certain amount and out of that amount, the amount of INR 2400 goes to IOC for consumer’s insurance, and for which the consumers much obtain a document called SV for claim of compensation in any casualty towards consumers’ insurance,” he informed.

He said that consumers can called up the Nagaland State Consumer Helpline Toll Free number -1800-345-3701 during the office hour for any grievance and requested the administration, particularly ADC Pfutsero, to address consumer’s grievances in the absence of District Consumer District Redressal Forum.

Savi highlighted on distribution and supply under the National Food Security Act 2013 and the importance of implementing Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 in Nagaland. He also encouraged the people of Pfutsero to continually promote organic vegetables and protect the environment – God-gifted nature.

Later, there was an interactive session for about two hours with the participants of the programme which include leaders of several organisations like KALOS Society Pfutsero, Pfutsero Town Ward Chairman Union, Pfutsero Town Citizen Welfare Forum, Pfutsero Town GBs’ Union, Pfutsero Town Youth Organisation and Pfutsero Town Traders’ Union.

During the interactive session, the participants dwelled on issues that need to be addressed immediately. They claimed dealers have been selling LPG cooking gas cylinder much below the standard weight and charge more on rice under National Food Security Act 2013 then the prescribed rate of INR 3 per kg.

While expressing the need to conduct a seminar on the importance of organic farming and the effects of using fertilisers, they urged the state government, particularly the concerned authority, to provide mobile food laboratory testing van to Pfutsero in order to check local and organic products.

The NVCO team expressed appreciation to the Pfutsero citizens for taking up the initiative of organising the awareness workshop which will benefit all the consumers in the state. It has urged the state government to take up necessary action to curb manipulation of weight and pricing by traders. The team has also asked all the district administration to check if hotels, restaurant, lodge and others belonging to business sector are using LPG commercial connection or domestic connection.