CAF&PD Minister bats for consumers rights
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2018:
CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam has expressed deep concern whether consumers in the State are able to exercise their rights and whetherjustice is being done to them.
The Minister said this while releasing a bi-annual Manipuri consumer journal titled Consumer Singgi Hak Amasung Wayel at the conference hall of Secretariat this afternoon.
The journal was published by the Manipur Women Co-ordinating Council under the aegis of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of CAF&PD.
Speaking at the occasion, Karam Shyam said that some powerful individuals/groups have been violating the rights of consumers in the State.
Apart from violating the rights of consumers, these powerful groups have been usurping the shares of the common people.
The greater the degree of violation of consumers' rights, the slower would be the State's pace of development.
Democracy would be meaningful only when all consumers are given their due shares and rights, asserted the CAF&PD Minister.
Lack of awareness among the masses is one major factor for the inability to fight for their rights or denial of their shares, he said.
Saying that he has encountered pressure, criticism and threats from different quarters against his efforts to ensure that the masses enjoy their rights and shares, Shyam asserted that fair criticism is another thing but he would never yield to threats.
He said that some elements recently threatened CAF&PD staff posted at Sangaiprou and Koirengei, godown Superintendent, transporters and even himself saying that no NFSA rice should be lifted.
All the people including the Government, redressal forums and NGOs must fight collectively for their rights and shares, Shyam asserted.
He said that the journal released today would help consumers know their rights and shares entitled to them.
The function was also attended by members of Manipur Women Coordinating Council and Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum.