Kohima, March 14 (MExN): World Consumer Rights Day will be observed at Kohima Law College on March 15. The day will also be observed in various ways in all the districts, informed a press release from NVCO president.
The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organization (NVCO) president, Kezhokhoto Savi maintained that World Consumer Rights Day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers, demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and a chance to protest against the market abuses and social injustices which undermine these rights.
“The importance of observing World Consumer Rights Day in the country, especially Nagaland, is beneficial to the citizens as it creates better awareness which is still lacking in our society especially in rural areas and the day reminds the citizens to remember their rights and responsibilities as a consumer and the slogan – ‘An alert consumer is an asset to the nation’ speaks volumes on this occasion,” Savi stated.
He asserted that a vigilant consumer can contribute in reducing the problem of sub-standard, defective goods, deficiency services, adulteration, unfair trade practices, etc to a large extent. “The responsibility for the promotion and protection of consumer rights rests with all of us and more particularly with governmental agencies,” Savi added. Meanwhile, he pointed out that when one approaches the market as a consumer, they expect value for money, i.e. right quality, right quantity, right prices, information about the mode of use, etc. “But there may be instance where a consumer is harassed or cheated. He/she may be supplied with goods which do not perform as per their description or have one or more defects. Likewise, in case of services, there may be deficiency.”
In India, the NVCO President said, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is an important Act in the history of the consumer movement in the country. The Act was made to provide better protection and promotion of consumer rights through the establishment of Consumer Councils and quasi-judicial machinery.
