Equal power supply mooted on Consumers Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2012: Consumers should stand up against the system of unequal power supply through VIP line and 'ordinary' lines.

This was stated by the President of District Forum Imphal, C Upendra while speaking as the chief guest during the World Consumers' Rights Day observance today at Kangla Hall.

He noted that the rights of the consumers is violated by the service providers due to submissive nature of the consumers out of ignorance.

Maintaining that power supply is ensured 24 hours a day to VIP line while the rests get only a mere two-hour power supply, C Upendra questioned the validity of the system.

Asserting that consumers by definition include all people, C Upendra said that the Government should provide equal treatment to all.

The Government should give protection to the consumers, and in turn the consumers should do their duties and obligation like paying taxes regularly.

The Consumers' Rights Day observance programme organised by the Department of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAFPD) was graced by Registrar of State Commission, Manipur, S Achouba and former President of District Forum, Imphal, Dr Ch Narendra as the president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, former President of District Forum, Thoubal, L Rameshore recalled that the UN General Assembly proclaimed six consumers' rights on April 9, 1985 .

Since then, the day has been observed as World Consumers' Rights Day after US President John F Kennedy first outlined the definition of Consumer Rights in 1962 .

The rights entitled to every consumer are rights to choice, information, safety, be heard, to consumer education and to redressal, he said.

L Rameshwor said, enticing students admission to a school with no proper infrastructure through advertisement has landed many consumers in a mess.

He stressed on the need to protect consumers from such allurement.

Member of District Forum, Imphal, L Luxmi pointed out that the Consumers Protection Act, 1986 was enacted in order to protect consumers and ensure their rights.

Under the provisions of the Act, consumers can lodge complaints to the Forum if the amount involved in the grievances is below Rs 20 lakh.

The State Commission should be approached if the amount is over Rs 20 lakh and below one crore.

Former member of District Forum, Thoubal, RK Sumitra said that the gas agencies could not supply LPG to their consumers as they could trade an LPG filled cylinder at Rs 1500 in the black market.

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