Dimapur, December 21 (MExN): Ahead of the National Consumer Day which is observed every year on December 24, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization today asserted that the maximum exploitation of consumer rights in the State is the charging of exorbitant prices on different goods and services, which greatly affects the consumers.
The NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi, in a press statement, pointed out that all the people are consumers in one way or the other and that a consumer can be happy only when the prices on the goods and charges on services are reasonable and the products and services serve the consumers to their satisfaction.
However, pointing out the exorbitant charges on the goods and services in the state, Savi asserted that it is causing the maximum exploitation on consumer rights in the state.
Making a case of comparison; Savi said that in other parts of the country during festive seasons, traders sell their products at a discount rate, thereby honoring consumer rights and promoting their business. In contrast, the traders tend to sell their products at a higher rate during this Christmas season. He asserted that the prices of clothes, decorative items, food items in the market are at a higher rate at this time and added that ‘there is no uniformity in price’. Savi also pointed that even at the Hornbill Festival held at Kisama, the prices were manipulated and that the goods were being sold at an exorbitant rate.
“This is the reason why the consumer activists are not happy with the festivals and exhibition shows for manipulating the price and exploiting the consumers’ rights,” said Savi.
In this connection, Savi asserted that it is the responsibility of every consumer to be more cautious of quality and prices on goods while buying the goods. Nonetheless, he also lashed out at the ‘Price controlling authorities’ and said, “What is the price controlling authorities doing these seasons and how long we will allow our markets to run in this manner.”
Also pointing out another case of consumer right exploitation, the NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi said that the illegal collection of taxes from the truckers, carriers, goods etc both on the national and state highways, check gates and business community in the state is another serious exploitation as this tax money are finally realized by the consumers. In this regard, Savi said that the NVCO had submitted a representation to the state government to verify and remove the illegal collections by various unions and organization at the check gates, however, he lamented that no response has been communicated to the organization and that these illegal practices continues even today.
Nevertheless, the NVCO President disclosed that following the objective of the Central Consumer Protection Council and in order to promote and protect consumer rights in the state; he has officially launched district level voluntary consumer organization in various districts such as Kiphire, Mokokchung, Tuensang, and Phek etc. Furthermore, Savi informed that on December 24, along with the rest of the country, the state government particularly the Department of Legal Meterology & Consumer Protection along with the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organisation (NVCO) will observe the National consumer Day, on which a talk on National Consumer Day will be broadcast on All India Radio, Kohima and Doordarshan.
n this regard, the NVCO President requested all the district level voluntary consumer organization to observe the National Consumer Day in the most benefiting manner on December 24 i.e. on the Christmas Eve.
Meanwhile, in another press release, the NVCO President, Kezhokhoto Savi pointed out the significance of the National Consumers Day. He said that on December 24, 1986, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 received the assent of the President of India, which is considered a historic milestone in the Consumer movement in the country.
Therefore, the Government of India has decided to observe December 24 as ‘National Consumer Day’ to be observed every year in addition to World Consumer Day which is observed on March 15. “The observance of these days provide an opportunity for highlighting the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make the consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities,” said Savi, “Observance of this Day also serves to reminds every consumer the slogan-‘We have the Consumer rights-We have the Power.”
Giving out the role of the state government in protecting consumer rights, Savi said that although the Department of Consumer Affairs is the nodal Department, the state governments also play a vital role in promoting welfare of consumers and protecting their rights.
The state governments are responsible for establishment and proper functioning of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the district Forums set up under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, informed Savi.
Meanwhile, the NVCO also conveyed its Christmas greetings to every citizen in the state and wishes all to have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.
