Law students take citizen rights campaign to churches

Kohima, August 20 (MExN): Kohima Law College conducted ‘Citizen rights & duties awareness campaign’ at Chakhesang Baptist Church, Old Ministers Hill, Kohima with the youth department on August 19.  

The campaign, which was officially launched on July 14, has been held in various churches of Kohima Town and Jakhama Baptist Church. LL.B final year students of Kohima Law College divided into seven groups with eight members in each group conducted the awareness campaign.  

On August 19, various topics were presented by Grace Lotha, N. Ahuto Chishi, Jingloi Phom, Moasunep Pongen, Khelibo Yeptho, Yuwang Konayak, and Akumla Ao.  

Kezhokhoto Savi, Professor-in-Charge, Kohima Law College and also the president of NVCO, who led the team, said rights and duties are equally important by quoting Jawaharlal Nerhu: “There has been far too much emphasis on rights and far too little on obligations. If obligations were undertaken, rights would naturally flow from them.” Therefore, every right has its corresponding duty, he added.  

On consumer rights, Savi in a press release said it is more important to create awareness under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 so that consumers can remain vigilant and more alert while buying goods and availing services. He lamented that the State Government is still failing to take up certain effective measures to promote and protect the rights of the consumers in Nagaland.  

It was added that limited information, limited supplies, low literacy are the main factors causing exploitation of consumers. “The consumer must be made aware of their rights and duties and also the information regarding the goods which is the need of an hour as in this age of globalization,” the release stated.  

Maintaining that awareness of consumer rights is more important in rural areas, Savi said the State government has to play a vital role in promoting welfare of consumers. “In some areas the government is failing to check the various illegal practices which are the root cause of price-rise and amounting to causing harassment,” the release alleged.  

While buying goods or availing services, he stated, every consumer needs to keep in mind certain duties – check accurate weights, date of expiry, read and understand the information properly provided on goods or services, obtain cash memo/receipt, check quality and quantity, ISI mark, MRP, etc. The consumers also need to be aware of the health and security aspects.  

The release further stated that if a consumer feels cheated by traders or manufacturers, they can complain to the consumer disputes redressal agencies in the following circumstances: suffered loss or damage of any unfair, trade practices adopted by the traders; if the goods purchased suffer from any defect; if the services hired/availed of suffer from deficiencies in any respect; if one has been charged a price in excess of the price displayed or fixed by or under any law in force; if the goods are hazardous to life and safety.



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