Kohima, March 20 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has expressed serious concerns that the Government of Nagaland is yet to implement the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
This is urgently needed to allow the functions of State Commission and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions smoothly, the Organisation stated in a press release.
It further pointed out that as the previous Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is no more applicable, the Nagaland University must immediately update the LL.B study course/syllabus with the new Act (Consumer Protection Act, 2019).
The 2019 Act provided for the establishment of an executive agency known as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers, make intervention when necessary to prevent consumer detriment arising from unfair trade practices and to initiate class action including enforcing recall, refund and return of products, etc, it informed.
While approaching redressal commission/commissions there is a provision for consumers to file complaints electronically, etc and State Government is empowered to establish a consumer mediation cell to be attached to each of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and State Commission, it added.
NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi, while addressing the World Consumer Rights Day observance at St. Joseph’s College (A), Jakhama on March 15 also noted that it is high time for the government to promote the basic rights of all consumers ensuring those rights are respected and protected from market abuses and social injustices which undermine the so called ‘Consumer Rights,’ the NVCO said.
He also highlighted the power of consumers and emphasized on their right to safety, right to be informed and right to awareness while exhorting on the importance of every consumer; their duties and responsibilities like obtaining receipts, checking manufacturing and expiry dates, ISI and FSSAI certifications, etc.
Addressing the students, he delivered that they are even more responsible of Consumer Rights and encouraged them to contribute to the society. He added that the State Consumer Helpline with Toll free number 18003453701 is always available for any consumer grievances.
The NVCO in its two week-long observance of World Consumer Rights Day 2022 had highlighted the new Act with a strong demand to immediately implement the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
