Kohima, December 23: Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has assured that the state government shall take up the issue of price rise ‘in all earnestness to protect the interest of consumers.’ “The soaring prices are a global phenomenon, and the central government is making determined efforts to contain the prices of essential commodities,” Rio said in his message on the eve of National Consumers’ Day.
The chief minister said the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has received the assent of the President of India on December 24 and the day is observed as the National Consumer Day all over the country. He said the observance of this day serves to remind all about the rights of consumers and responsibilities of the government agencies.
The chief minister released a Nagaland State Consumer Helpline newsletter in Kohima on December 22. Rio appreciated the work of Kezhokhoto Savi, advocate and president of Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organization in setting up the Nagaland State Consumer Helpline, which is ready for inauguration on December 24.
The CM said consumers’ day coincides with the launch of Nagaland State Consumer Helpline and appreciated the department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection in partnership with NVCO for setting up of the helpline with the assistance from the Government of India. The helpline was set up on March 15, 2005 in conjunction with the World Consumer Rights Day and has been very successful in addressing the grievances of the consumers in the country, he said.
The Nagaland State Consumer Helpline is to provide counseling on all products and services available. The helpline, which is accessible at Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701 is to provide guidance, information, as well as redress consumer complaints.
The success of helpline will however depend much on the conscious and awareness of the masses of the state including rural consumers, the CM said. Neiphiu Rio hoped that the NVCO would run the helpline successfully. “As we observe National Consumer Day on the eve of Christmas, I take this opportunity to wish every citizen a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year. My special message on this special occasion is ‘be an alert and informed consumer,’” Rio added.
