Consumer grievances highlighted on Day 2 of World Consumers’ Rights Day celebration
Kohima, March 4 (MExN): On the second day of the 2 week-long celebration of World Consumers’ Rights Day organized by the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organization (NVCO), consumer grievances were highlighted and discussed on March 3.
According to a press release from the NVCO, the grievances included those faced by consumers especially in the State capital, Kohima.
The NVCO has been complaining against the butchers for short measurement but today it is not only the butchers but almost in every item such as vegetables, fruits, grocery item, etc, the NVCO stated, while citing experiences shared by consumers.
There are many more similar complaints but the rest are least bothered as to whether they are cheated or not, it said.
The NVCO further said that it has been receiving complaints from passengers/consumers against excessive charges of bus fare especially city buses plying in the town.
Earlier the actual fare was Rs 10 and lesser for students in uniform. But due to the pandemic, every passenger was compelled to maintain government SOPs where only one passenger was allowed to occupy a seat meant for two and for which every passenger was made to pay Rs 20, the NVCO stated.
However, it noted that nowadays, many buses do not maintain SOPs and continually charge Rs 20 irrespective of students in uniform or others.
There are also complaints against the excessive rate of hiring services such as transportation charges, ambulances, commercial vehicles, taxis, etc, it added.
The maximum complaint is that of price rise of both essential and non-essential commodities due to pandemic or taking advantage of pandemic including fuel/motor spirit tax, the NVCO said.
It also highlighted that although banned by the government, fund raising in different forms such as donation voucher, selling moudi/meat/buffet ticket/lottery ticket/calendar/cooked food/varieties of packing, etc. at an exorbitant rate is taking place.
The Organization still receives several complaints about the same; it said and added that it amounts to harassment.
There are complaints against selling expired goods and sub-standard goods which are very harmful to consumers, it added.
The NVCO also said that there are complaints against the rate of rice and other items and also less quantity as against what is entitled under the National Food Security Act. To this effect, the State government is yet to set up a Food Commission as per the Act, it highlighted.
As a welfare State, the concerned authority including District Administration, Regional Transport, Civic Bodies, department of Legal Metrology and Consumer protection should look into the grievances of the consumers so as to make our market places more consumer-friendly, NVCO appealed.
It further requested the concerned authority to conduct surprise checking, as passing orders may not be enough if not executed effectively.
