Kohima, June 7 (MExN): Advocate and President of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO), Kezhokhoto Savi has highlighted that several meat shops in Kohima are selling pork at the rate of Rs.250/- and Rs.240/- per kg while the rate fixed by the govt/KMC is Rs.180/- per kg.
Speaking at the meeting of Price Monitoring Committee Kohima at DC’s office here on June 6, Savi pointed out the consumers’ complaints against butchers for shortage of measurement. He cited that the consumers never get the actual weight of meat though they are charged in full.
Savi asserted that the NVCO cannot tolerate the excessive charges in certain essential commodities, according to a press release from Press & Media Cell, NVCO. “What is the public/consumers doing when few business community charges more than 1/3 (excessive) of govt/KMC rate and that also without any permission?” he questioned. “What is the reaction of the District Administration and Kohima Municipal Council?”
Most of the meat sold in the market, he claimed, may not be fit for consumption and there is no mechanism to ascertain the fitness. He stated that the problem can be solved only when there is a proper slaughter house. Meanwhile, he pointed out that the State government is already facing pressure from the Central government to comply with the laws intended to prevent cruelty to animals in slaughter houses in reference to WP (C) 330 of 2001.
Further, the NVCO President stated that removing the original/company printed price on motor parts, students’ text books/exercise books and replacing them with a price tag which is much higher than the MRP is illegal and amounts to exploitation of consumer rights as per the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
“Fund-raise by way of selling lottery ticket, raffle draw, buffet ticket, calendar, concert ticket, moudi, packed cooked meat/vegetable/ fruits, etc including selling local newspaper by way of donation is common in Kohima which affect the prices and also harasses the citizens,” Savi added. He lamented that no authority is taking any initiative to control the “nuisance.”
Meanwhile, he asserted that the State Government, particularly the District Administration, must stop the illegal collection of cash in the check-gates/highways in their own district jurisdiction as it is one the major causes for price rise.
Price Monitoring, he added, includes transportation charges and daily wages for skilled or unskilled labours, including motor workshop where charges are to be properly regulated in a reasonable and consumer friendly manner. He further pointed out the urgency to implement the transportation/carriage charges depending on types of vehicles and distance.
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