Imphal, December 24 2009: As in other parts of the country, National Consumer Day was observed in Manipur today to mark the passing of Consumer Protection Act on this day in 1986 .

The theme of the observance this year was 'Be financially literate : Save our investments'.

Organised under the aegis of Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of Manipur, the function held at TG Higher Secondary School here was attended by Principal Secretary P Saratchandra as chief guest, Joint Director of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department S Kulachandra as president and principal of TG Higher Secondary School Ch Padmabati as guest of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Saratchandra expressed concern over the failure of Public Distribution System to function fully in Manipur.

He pointed out that although the rate of one litre of Kerosene, as fixed by the Government of India is not even Rs 10, public are spending anywhere between Rs 30 to Rs 35 for purchasing one litre of Kerosene in the market as the Public Distribution System has not been functioning properly.

On top of this, regular electricity supply is not being ensured to the public.

This is really sad for the student community in the State, Saratchandra said.

He further pointed out that in the absence of a proper transport system in the State, public and more particularly, the womenfolk are being subjected to various inconveniences.

In order to make the observance of Consumer Day more meaningful, Saratchandra said that the Government should do its part to ensure the services of the Public Distribution System to the people.

In his presidential address, Kulachandra noted that the main objective behind observing National Consumer Day is to spread awareness among the people on their rights as consumers so as to avoid being duped or cheated.

Participating in the observance as a resource person, president of Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum Dr Ch Narendra explained that for the first time in India.

Consumer Protection Act was passed on December 24, 1986 to ensure the rights of the consumers and protect them are being duped by the shopkeepers and other sellers.

Under this Act, six important rights of the consumers are ensured.

These include the right to choose or reject a good before being purchased, right to know all the related informations about the goods being purchased and rights to redress their grievances in case somebody cheated them, Dr Narendra said, while calling upon the people to understand their rights as a consumer.

Prof Chinglen Maisnam of Economics Department, Manipur University, another resource person who spoke on the theme of the observance, said that it is time for all of us to be financially literate.

Spending our hard earned income without being financially literate could lead to various crises.

Many of the conflicts taking place in Manipur today could also be resolved when every individual become financially literate.

General secretary of Consumers' Club Ch Nabachandra who also spoke at the occasion pointed out that the required posts of the president and other members of the State Commission which has been set up for the purpose of helping the distressed consumers should be filled up at the earliest possible for the welfare of the consumers.

At the occasion, three students of TG Higher Secondary School also made their presentation on the theme of consumers' rights.

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