Kohima, March 13 (MExN): The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organization (NVCO) on Saturday urged citizens to make use of the toll-free Nagaland State Consumer Helpline number 1800-345-3701.
In view of its ongoing celebration of World Consumer Rights Day in the State, the NVCO conducted a brief meeting on March 13 at the office of Nagaland State Consumer Helpline situated at D-Block, Kohima, to discuss as to how to improve the utility of ‘Consumer Helpline’ as an alternate consumer dispute redressal mechanism.
NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi said that citizens can call the toll-free number 1800-345-3701 and seek information, advice or guidance for their day to day consumer problems.
He stated that the progress of making use of the toll-free number by citizens is still ‘poor’ and the State’s report submitted to the Government of India is “not encouraging,” adding that this must be the reason consumers/citizens are still not aware of the availability of the mechanism.
The main purpose for providing toll-free number is for public utility where the call charges would go to the helpline and not to the one who is calling, Savi said.
The complainant is advised to take up the matter with the concerned trader, manufacturer or company. In case, the problem still remains unresolved, he/she is advised to approach the respective trade associations, industry regulations, Ombudsman and the concerned government departments relating to the industry. It is only as last resort that the complainant is advised to approach the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum or State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission depending on pecuniary jurisdiction, NVCO President explained.
Stating that National helpline and other State Consumer Helpline numbers are receiving calls covering various services and products like banking, telecom, insurance, national food security, LPG, postal, courier, transport including complaints related to MRP, labelling, price-rise, sub-standard goods in the market, weight and measurement etc, the NVCO urged consumers in Nagaland to make more use of the toll-free helpline.
