Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 15
Rural Development Advisor, Dr Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire today expressed concern over LPG customers who on several occasions are seen in long queues early mornings to get refills in Kohima.
In this, Dr. Kire called for improvement of LPG cylinders delivery system in the state capital Kohima. He said this while addressing a consumer awareness programme here today, jointly organized by the office of the Assistant Controller of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection Kohima, Kohima District Planning and the Development Board and Kohima District Legal Services Authority.
The State Government is focusing on mandating that all LPG distributors provide home delivery of cylinders for rural consumers.
“Every LPG consumer has an insurance, however most of the consumer were not aware of it,” pointed out Dr. Kire and asked the concerned department to check the details and if benefit is available. It would be an obligatory to every DPDB members to spread the awareness on the insurance, he said.
Dr Kire added that coinciding with the DPDB meeting, the programme is an opportunity for the board members to discuss ways to ensure consumer rights in the district.
Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) Member Secretary, Longshithung Ezung said that while the state has district forums as well as the state commission, the number of complaints received is few. “Public is not aware of the rights provided by the Consumer Protection Act. All of us being consumers have suffered some sort of grievances and have kept silent, letting the other party take advantage of our silence,” Ezung said.
He pointed out that the main objective of each producer is to maximize profit. “In each and every possible way the producers are trying to increase the sale of their products. Therefore in fulfillment of their aim they forget the interest of the consumer and start exploiting them,” he said.
Ezung added that the Consumer Protection Act enacted in 1986 has the provisions to protect consumer rights. He further asked consumers to be vigilant
“Consumers should be informed about the product. The product packaging should list the details which should be informed to the consumer and they should not hide the same or provide false information. The consumer should have variety of articles to choose from and should not be pressured into buying or using only one product or service. Monopolistic practices are not legal,” he added.
“If a consumer is dissatisfied with the product purchased then they have all the right to file a complaint against it. And said complaint cannot go unheard, it must be addressed in an appropriate time frame,” he stated.
He also informed that consumers can approach district forums if the goods or services and compensation asked for do not exceed Rs. 20,000,000/-(Twenty Lakhs). They can approach the State Commission if the goods or services and compensation asked for is more than Rs. 20,000,000/- (Twenty Lakhs) but less than one crore. Further, consumers can approach the National Commission if the goods or services and compensation asked for is more than one crore. The complaint is to be filed within 2 years from the date on which cause of action has risen, he said.
There is also no need for the Consumer to engage a lawyer while filing a complaint. The consumer can represent himself before the forum, Ezung added.
Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) President Medozhatuo Rutsa shared on the various issues in regard to consumer protection which has been directly or indirectly affecting the public. He felt that rights and policies should be maintained where legal matters can be put in order to protect the consumer.
Rutsa hoped that the policy making agency or the state government would come up with some policy in order to address the issues faced by the people.
Shiloh Kath, Assistant Controller, LMCP, Kohima meanwhile requested the KCCI to discipline the business community on consumer rights.
