Resource person along with the officials and participants
during an awareness programme on consumers rights in Kohima on Wednesday.
DIMAPUR — A
consumer awareness programme on the theme “Consumers! Know your rights” was
held at Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School (RGHSS) in Kohima on
Wednesday.
The event was organised by the department of Legal Metrology
and Consumer Protection, Kohima, in collaboration with the Kohima District
Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) and the NSS Unit of RGHSS, stated a DIPR
report.
The resource person and retainer lawyer of KDLSA, Sunjib
Rana, gave a comprehensive explanation on consumer rights and responsibilities.
Stating that every individual is a consumer from birth to death, he therefore
said it is essential to understand both rights and duties in the marketplace.
Highlighting real-life examples of misleading advertisements
including fairness creams and perfumes, Rana stressed the importance of
consumer vigilance and the power of individual complaints in curbing unfair
trade practices.
“You may feel small standing alone in front of a shopkeeper
or a large company,” he said, “but a single consumer’s complaint can bring
about significant change.”
He explained the grievance redressal mechanism under the
Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Rana also addressed concerns surrounding online shopping,
urging students to always retain receipts and record proof such as unboxing
videos for use in complaint redressals. He cited a case where such
documentation helped a consumer successfully file a claim for a defective
phone.
In addition, he touched on the topic of medical negligence,
explaining that under the Consumer Protection Act, doctors and hospitals are
also accountable and serious negligence could lead to both civil and criminal
proceedings.
The importance of being an informed and responsible consumer
was underscored throughout his speech with emphasis on reading terms and
conditions, checking return policies and verifying the authenticity of product
reviews particularly in e-commerce platforms.
He concluded by encouraging students to ask questions, raise
grievances when necessary and understands that consumer empowerment is both a
right and a responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address, the assistant controller of
Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection (LMCP), Shiekhozo, emphasised the
significance of legal metrology in everyday life, noting that we live in a
world governed by measurements and transactions—from the size of clothes we
wear to the quantity of food we buy and the services we use daily such as
transportation and utilities.
“Every transaction we make involves measurement—be it in
kilograms, litres or meters. That is where the department of Legal Metrology
comes in,” he explained.
Shiekhozo reminded the students that as consumers, they have
rights and responsibilities.
“When you buy a product or pay for a service, you have the
right to know its weight, price, expiry date and other crucial details. It is
the responsibility of the seller to provide this information transparently,” he
explained.
He concluded by expressing hope that the session would be
beneficial for all the participants.
