NVCO raises other consumer issues too
Kohima, October 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has questioned the Nagaland State Government, particularly the Kohima District Administration, on the shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the capital. The shortage, it stated, has led to the proliferation of the black market with gas cylinder rates shooting up to Rs. 1600 in Kohima with Dimapur LPG black market rate pinned at Rs. 1400. The actual rate with gas card is currently Rs. 940.
“Citizens suffer immensely due to shortages, giving a hard time to consumers who queue up every morning for many hours at the LPG distributing agency,” stated the NVCO in a press release today from its press and media cell. It questioned the government on the huge gap between demand and supply of gas cylinders.
Meanwhile, the Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) apprised the authorities concerned about the distribution of cooking gas by M/s Seyie gas Agency Kohima, one of the main distributors in Kohima south zone.
A press release from AKMWP President, Neibulie Kiewhuo, informed that Seyie gas now issues LPG only once a week, which is making consumers queue up from 1:00 am and yet allegedly unable to get a cylinder.
“Cutting down the distribution to one day a week has encouraged black marketers to shoot up the price to a whooping Rs. 2,000/- per cylinder,” accused the AKMWP.
As the “guardian and mouth piece” of 42 wards, panchayat and sector colonies under KMC, the AKMWP participated in a meeting with DC Kohima along with the LPG distributors association. “The rate charged for colony deliveries was also not agreed upon during the meeting with DC Kohima,” the Association informed.
The AKMWP urged the government authorities concerned to “address the one sided attitude of business establishment, which is ignoring all rights of consumers, at the earliest.”
Ayurvedic meds
The NVCO meanwhile reported that a few days back an old citizen from Kohima personally approached the President of NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi, with samples of three medicines from an Ayurvedic doctor stating that he had allegedly spent more than Rs.18,000/- for a small quantity. The Ayurvedic doctor allegedly issued no receipt and the medicine had no label, no name, no cover, no information, no expiry date, etc.
At the request of the complainant, Savi reportedly telephoned the doctor and “explained the lack of information and doubts but the doctor simply put down the phone after listening awhile.”
Bakery
The NVCO also warned Popular Bakery situated at PR Hill in Kohima for allegedly selling expired Lychee and Nata De Coco juices and then blaming their “illiterate employees” for the same. NVCO’s President has asked the Chief Medical Officer and designated Food Safety Officer to ensure the safety of consumers. The NVCO also asked consumers to be more alert while buying food products and check all information printed on products before buying them.
ICU
While appreciating the initiative of the Tuensang Chamber of Commerce & Industries for building a much-needed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the District Hospital in Tuensang “which would also benefit Mon, Longleng and Kiphire,” the NVCO stated that the Nagaland State Government has remained “a silent spectator,” or done nothing, to bring an ICU for the four eastern districts of Nagaland.
The NVCO also alleged that the health department has remained corrupt. As per records with the NVCO, a sum of Rs. 16 crores were allegedly spent to procure ICU machinery but “in reality the department had spent Rs. 5 crore only.” The NVCO asked the department to justify to the public the expenditure of the remaining Rs. 11 crore.
Governor donation
The NVCO enquired with respect to the State Cabinet decision for VIPs not to make any donation or announcement of monetary grants while attending public programmes and functions. The NVCO wondered if this rule also applies to the Governor of Nagaland as “he has been donating sums of 1-2 lakh to various group/community during his official visit to districts in Nagaland.” The NVCO also enquired whether there is any protocol to host various guest/individual/group/community at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.
