Vigilant consumer prevents manipulation to a large extent, says Savi

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 15 (EMN): President of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Association (NVCA), Kezhokhoto Savi, on Monday shared that a vigilant consumer can contribute in reducing the problem of sub-standard, defective goods, deficiency services, adulteration, unfair trade practices, etc to a large extent.

He said that the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 were compensatory in nature and it applied to all goods and services unless specially exempted by the Central Government and it covered all the sectors.

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Savi was speaking at Kohima Law College on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day under the theme, “Tackling Plastic Pollution”.

 He mentioned that toxic chemicals in fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and others affect people’s health, which can lead dangerous health consequences.

He shared how essential commodities are mixed with inferior quality substances and sold like pure products.

Therefore, he stated that consumer education has become vital to every individual irrespective of rich or poor, young or old, literate or illiterate. “If the consumer is alert enough, adulteration of foods could be stopped,” he said, reminding that while purchasing such stuff, proper care should be taken to check for weight to read and understand information provided, to get cash memos, etc.

Savi also highlighted the rights and responsibilities consumers must be aware in order to protect and promote their welfare. “Every right has its corresponding responsibility/duty,” he said, adding that a consumer while exercising his/her right should maintain two duties i.e., duties with regard to the enforcement of one's own right and duties in relation to other consumers.

He stated that under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, there are six consumer rights such as right to safety, right to information, right to choice, right to be heard or right to representation, right to seek redressal and right to consumer awareness.

Savi advised that before making any purchase, a consumer needs to obtain full information regarding quality and price while being careful about false or misleading advertisements. Purchase goods having ISI marks, Agmark, etc as and where available for safety and quality.

 Consumers should also obtain proper receipt/cash memo for purchases made and guarantee/warranty card duly stamped and signed by the seller, wherever applicable.  They can approach the District Commission, State Commission or National Commission for redressal of consumer grievances against sale of defective goods or deficient services or adoption of unfair or restrictive trade practices.

Neibulie Kiewhuo, president of Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP), called upon Law students to come forward in seeking justice for the citizens and raise their voices for the public for any issues concerning electricity or water besides consuming items. 

Calling Law students the “guardian of the judicial system in the state tomorrow,” he appealed to them to contribute 2-3% of their service for the interest of the public which would “make a big impact for the society”.

 Reminding that Nagaland’s capital city is part of India’s Smart Cities, he asserted that such project needs, “transparency”.

‘We need transparency in the planning, budget, income, expenditure of Kohima Smart City,’ he said. “We need to be part of the pressure group,” he reminded, adding, “Your concern can make a big difference”

 Meanwhile, Moasenla, assistant professor, Law College Kohima, who dwelled on the theme, “Tackling Plastic Pollution,” informed that India was number 15 amongst the countries in the world for the biggest plastic pollution. She said Covid-19 and plastic pollution was closely related. She explained how face masks, gloves, face shields and food packages during the Covid-19 pandemic were used and dumped in enormous amounts.

Lungrangpeong Nza, a final year student of Kohima Law College informed that Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through regulation and supervision of food safety.

“The importance of food safety is that it helps to protect the consumers from the risks of food borne illness and from the risks of health related issues such as allergy, diarrhea or even death,” she said.

Menosieno Nakhro, another final semester student of Kohima Law College, said that the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was enacted with a view to widen the scope of consumer rights and cover the field of e-commerce, direct selling, tele – shopping and other multi levels of marketing in the age of digitalisation.

 However, she apprised that Nagaland state government was yet to implement the Act.

Zunheboto: Zunheboto district in commemoration of World Consumers Day officially launched Consumer Rights Organisation (CRO), Zunheboto division, by deputy commissioner, Peter Lichamo on at VDB hall in Zunheboto.

Lichamo, while delivering his speech, encouraged CRO to tie up with administrator ZTC and also chamber of commerce and industries to work towards the betterment of the society. He also reminded the organisation that the focus should not only be at the district level but must concentrate at the sub-divisions as well. The DC said that with the formation of CRO, “we are now moving forward on awareness of consumer rights but we as a consumer too have our duties to perform which is to co-operate to all developmental activities in our respective places in whichever ways required of us.”

Speaking at the programme, state president CRO, James Jungio stated that with the formation of CRO Zunheboto division, the organisation regularly check violations of consumer rights, sensitising on unawareness of rights and ignorance of rights etc..The organisation also aims to work on educating the consumers on issues like safety of school children travelling on school buses, protection of women and children rights, education on consumer laws, suggestions on creating a healthy atmosphere at the prisons, rights of senior citizens, malpractices by street vendors, assistance in disaster management etc.

“Complete eradication of all sorts of corruptions at the state and districts are what CRO is working on,” he added. He also informed the gathering that in collaboration with state legal metrology and consumer protection, CRO aims to organise awareness programmes in all the districts and sub-divisions in the year 2021-22, for which he appealed to the district administration and law enforcing agencies for cooperation and assistance.

Dimapur: World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated at Mount Mary College (MMC), Chümoukedima, organised by the department of Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection (LM&CP), Dimapur.

The special invitee of the function was Dr. M Chuba Ao, national vice president, BJP and chairman, Marcofed. SDO (C) , Chümoukedima, Thejavizo Nakhro exhorted the gathering while Limatoshi Jamir, assistant controller of LM&CP, Dimapur spoke on the theme “ Tackling Plastic Pollution.”

A special number was sung by Vizovituo Tacü, MMC student while a report on the activities of voluntary consumer organisations was given by a member of Consumer Rights Organisation, Nagaland.

The function was attended by college students, teachers, and consumer societies of Dimapur and staff of the department of LM&CP.

Changtongya: World Consumer Right Day was observed at Changtongya town at GA Rest House on March 15. The programme was organised by Changtongya Multi Purpose Co-Operative Society Ltd.(MPCS) in collaboration with the department of Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection, Kohima.

Moakumzuk Tzudir SDO (C) Changtongya spoke on the importance of observing World Consumer Right Day and the rights of the consumer. An update from DIPR stated that Tzudir said that the government protects all consumers in the country under the new Consumer Protection Act 2019 and further called upon all to spread the awareness of consumer rights.

The programme was chaired by YN Alem, secretary MPCS Ltd Changtongya.