DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 21 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers Organisation (NVCO) and the Department of LMCP highlighted consumer complaints in Kohima as part of its week long campaign on National Consumer Day.
The NVCO, in a press release, stated that the public have been complaining against the new tax imposed on fuel and motor spirits by the Government of Nagaland as prices of essential and non-essential items have shot up due to hike in prices of fuel.
It also referred to shortage of weights/measurement and excessive charges on prices on several items including meat, etc. “The butcher charges more money than the rate given by Kohima Municipal Council,” the NVCO said. It further noted that most butchers do not follow the minimum standard of sanitation and cleanliness as per the Food Safety & Standard Act.
“Most of them do not have licence either from Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) or from the Department of Health & Family Welfare as per the Food Safety & Standard Act,” it added.
Further, the NVCO said that traders dealing with motor parts don’t follow the MRP and they put their own prices pasted on motor parts.
Meanwhile, collection of donation by various societies in towns or villages including selling of calendar, Christmas star etc at an exorbitant rate was another cause for concern.
It further stated that the practice of Illegal taxation on the highways and check gates continues by government agencies, associations, federations, public organisations, various groups including the highest offices and politicians deducting certain percentages on developmental projects in the name of commission, party fund etc.
“Illegal taxation and unabated taxation leads to price-rise and brings poor quality of works in the state infrastructural developmental projects,” he added.
The NVCO also said that street vendors are not being provided facilities as per the rules and regulations of the Act.
It observed that the Food Commission is yet to be set up in the state as per the National Food Security Act and in the absence of this commission there is manipulation and misappropriation in the distribution of rice etc.
Another observation was that the state capital is yet to have a slaughter house.
Further, expressing concern that the State Government is yet to implement the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the NVCO informed that even the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is not functional since the retirement of the commission’s former president.
