K Takeeth Imchen, Dy Director, LMCP with Kezhokhoto Savi, NVCO, President during the launching of National Consumer Day observation at LMCP office on December 18.
Kohima, December 19 (MExN): The Deputy Controller, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (LM&CP), Government of Nagaland, K Takeeth Imchen officially launched the weeklong celebration of National Consumer Day at LMCP office premises with the national theme, ‘The Sustainable Consumer’ on December 18.
K Takeeth Imchen said that the weeklong observation would benefit the consumers in learning their rights and responsibilities as the Consumer Protection Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, deficiency services and unfair trade practices. Imchen also highlighted the major objectives of the Consumer Protection Act.
Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO), President, Kezhokhoto Savi who is also a recipient of First Prize National Award for Consumer Protection appealed to the state government to implement the Consumer Protection Act 2019 at the earliest by issuing rules. He stated that the Act will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified Rules and provisions like Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, etc.
Nagaland State Consumer Helpline
On the second day (December 19), NVCO and LMCP observed the event in the office of Nagaland State Consumer Helpline, Kohima where NVCO, President, Kezhokhoto Savi presented on functions of Nagaland State Consumer Helpline with Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701.
Savi informed that this Consumer Helpline provides counselling on all products and services and it develops data based information relating to the State. “It is an alternate consumer dispute redressal mechanism functioning through the tool free number where a citizen can call and seek information, advice or guidance for his/her day to day consumer problems,” Savi stated.
The main purpose for providing toll free number is for public utility where the call charges goes to the Helpline and not to the one who is calling, he explained.
“The Nagaland State Consumer Helpline situated at D-Block, Kohima has been receiving calls from all over the districts as it is the only helpline in the state,” he informed. The calls made are related to 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, Savi added.
He also stated that at the first instance, the complainant is advised to take up the matter with the concerned trader, manufacturer or company. In case, his 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.
This is a scheme based on the experience of implementation of National Consumer Helpline, which has been an important instrumentality of providing guidance, information, as well as redressal of complaints. The most important facet of the State Consumer Helpline, apart from provision of infrastructure for setting up and running of the scheme is building of human resource, he added.
