World Consumer Rights day observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 15 2016: Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has become significant in Manipur as the State is witnessing rapid growth of middle class with globalization and culture of consumerism taking its root in the State as well, said CAF & PD and Education Minister M Okendro.

He was speaking at the World Consumer Rights day function jointly organised by Manipur State Legal Service Authority and High Court Bar Association, Manipur at the auditorium of High Court of Manipur today.

Okendro said that CAF&PD Department has been providing support and creating an enabling environment for establishment of the institutes that seek to protect rights of consumers and taking punitive action against the unscrupulous service and goods providers.

Manipur State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presently headed by Justice Ashok Potsangbam, is one such organisation, the Minister said.

He also said that another important intervention for the protection of consumer rights is the State Consumer Helpline which is functioning under the watch of CAF&PD Department.

Okendra further said that with the continuous rise in the purchasing power of the public in general and the middle class in particular, the transaction and consumption of goods and services have been increasing dramatically.

Besides the physical face to face transactions, online markets are also on the rise, the Minister said and added that the legal frameworks must evolve to deal with all forms of challenges.

He also said that there is an urgent need for spreading awareness of the rights of the consumers.

The Consumer Protection Act lays down frameworks for ensuring that the violations of consumer rights are properly dealt with.

But efficient and appropriate consumer protection is only possible when the consumers themselves are well aware about their rights in the first place, he observed.

The judiciary, activists, lawyers, community, consumer clubs, women, students, civil societies and media also need to play a proactive role, he said.

The State Government is planning to implement the National Food Security Act from April onwards and the Government would be providing food grains at affordable rates, the Minister said.

The Act would empower the beneficiaries lawfully to claim their monthly quotas and assert their rights if the ration is denied, Okendro said.

The Minister said that he is very concerned that people do not protest or raise their voice in case of denial of their quota normally.

People rarely come forward or knock the doors of the DC's office to demand their ration cards, he said and added that those lucky few who are having ration cards would not complain when their quotas are reduced by the FPS agents.

Many possess APL cards but just a few of them come up to claim their rights with vigour due to lack of awareness of the consumers rights or lack of confidence in the grievance redressal mechanism, the Minister said.

Manipur State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has been designated as the State Food Commission to look into the grievances of the National Food Safety Act, he said and added that the beneficiaries may lodge their complaints online through www.pdsmanipur.nic.in.

Giving the keynote address, MSLSA secretary RK Memcha said that the World Consumer Rights day has been observed all over the world on March 15 to recognize the rights of the people as consumers.

She further said that Consumer Rights Organization was founded on March 15, 1960 and two years later on March 15, 1962, US President John F Kennedy gave his speech on consumer rights.

The World Consumer Rights day was first observed in 1983, she said.

CAF&PD and Education Minister M Okendro, High Court Bar Association Manipur president Kh Binoykumar, Advocate General of Manipur Th Ibohal and former Judge of Gauhati High Court Ashok Potsangbam graced the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Justice (Retired) Ashok Potsangbam spoke on the rights of consumers as a resource person at the function.

Meanwhile, District Legal Service Authority, Tamenglong observed World Consumer Rights day at Noney bazar today.

District Level Service Authority cum Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tamenglong Aribam Noutu-neshwari Devi, Noney Bazar Board secretary Chamrei Kamei and Tamenglong Additional SP (in-charge of NH-37) Lamiyo Luikham attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Advocates Keisham Dhane, Ch Bimolchandra and Romita Devi spoke at the function as resources persons.

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