[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he importance of observing World Consumer Rights Day in the country especially Nagaland is beneficial to the citizens as it creates better awareness which is still lacking in our society especially in rural areas and the Day reminds the citizens to remember their rights and responsibilities as a consumer and the slogan – ‘An alert consumer is an asset to the nation’ speaks volumes on this occasion.
Despite of World Consumer Rights Day falls on Sunday i.e 15th March 2015, the State of Nagaland is giving so much importance as the day is going to observe in various ways in all the district and the function conducting in the state capital is celebrating in an enlightenment manner involving the participation of a judge in a high court, district courts, law students, municipalities, district administration, civil societies, chamber of commerce & industries, leaders of various panchayats, etc.The moment a person comes into this world, he starts consuming, He needs milk, clothes, oil, soap, water and many more things and these needs keep taking one form or the other all along his life. Thus we all are consumers. When we approach the market as a consumer, we aspect value for money, i.e. right quality, right quantity, right prices, information about the mode of use, etc.
But there may be instance where a consumer is harassed or cheated. He may be supplied with goods which do not perform as per their description or have one or more defects. Likewise, in case of services, there may be deficiency.
Every year 15th is observed as World Consumer Rights Day. With the Year theme : “Make helping consumers choose healthy diets” the State of Nagaland is also celebrating World Consumer Rights Day along with others across the world here at Kohima under the initiative of Kohima District Legal Services Authority in collaboration with Nagaland Voluntary Consumer’s Organisation(NVCO), Kohima Municipal Council(KMC) & Kohima Law College.
The Hon’ble Mr. Justice L.S. Jamir, Judge of Gauhati High Court as Guest Speaker followed with Mr. Y.M. Imchen, District & Session Judge & Kezhokhoto Savi President NVCO.
The significance of the Day is that it has its origin in former US President John K. Kennedy’s declaration of four basic Consumer Rights in his 15th March 1962 Special Message to the US congress and therefore, Maech 15th is a historical date for consumer organizations worldwide as it was the date that President John F. Kennedy outlined his vision about consumer rights. World Consumer Rights Day was first observed on 15th March, 1983.
Two years later, on 9th April 1985, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection. In India, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 is an important Act in the history of the consumer movement in the country. The Act was made to provide for the better protection and promotion of consumer rights through the establishment of Consumer Councils and quasi-judicial machinery.
More importantly, it is a time for promoting the basic rights of all consumers, for demanding that those rights are respected and protected and for protecting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them.
A vigilant consumer can contribute in reducing the problem of sub-standard, defective goods, deficiency services, adulteration, unfair trade practices, etc to a large extent.
The responsibility for the promotion and protection of consumer rights rests with all of us and more particularly with governmental agencies. It is the need of the day to know your rights and responsibilities for your own welfare and for the development of a vibrant and stable economy.
