Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 24 2010:
National Consumers' Day was observed here today in Hotel Classic under the aegis of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The observance was attended by president of the Manipur State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Justice Maibam Binoykumar as chief guest and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Commissioner P Vaiphei as president.
Giving the key-note address, CAF & PD Additional Secretary Maranchan Luikham said that the American people raised a strong movement demanding adequate rights for consumers in early 1960's. In India, the Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986.What is crucial at this point of time is spreading awareness among consumers about the rights guaranteed to them under the Consumer Protection Act.
Justice Maibam Binoykumar noted that State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and the district level Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions have been unable to deliver service for lack of infrastructure.
Nevertheless, he exhorted all consumers to learn about the rights entitled to them.
Consumers should have thorough knowledge how to redress their grievances at the minimal cost, Justice Binoykumar said.
P Vaiphei observed that even as India has the second largest number of consumers in the world, a large section of the Indian population have limited knowledge about consumer rights.
This is a manifestation of the weakness of both the Government and the public, he said.
An audio-visual film titled Pukchak Matpiganu was also screened on the occasion.