Dimapur, Oct. 2 (EMN): The Union Baptist Church of Kohima conducted a seminar based on the topic “know your rights” on Sep. 30.
The president of the Nagaland Voluntary Consumer Organisation (NVCO) Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate was the speaker of the event, a press release from the organisation stated on Monday.
During the event various topics were part of the discourse. The topics included Human Rights, consumer rights, National Food Security Act, Article 371A of Indian Constitution in respect of the land “where the entire surface of the earth crust within the territory of Nagaland can be owned by the Naga Indigenous and not by the non-indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland,” the press release stated.
Other topics of discussion include the Food Safety & Standard Act, RTI, public services delivery system, medical negligence, Street Vendors (protection of livelihood & regulation of street vending) Act, Clean Election, Nagaland state consumer helpline with toll free No. 1800-345-3702 and environment protection. The issues were highlighted by the speaker during several sessions of the event with special reference to citizen rights and duties, it was informed. Savi said that a right was a privilege granted to the person ‘who is entitled for it.’
“There are basic rights granted to a person, by birth, which can be called as natural rights. Human rights entitled to a person, to ensure the protection of his life, freedom and liberty, equality and dignity,” Savi said.
Further, the speaker stated also that Human Right was a symbol of hope. It is the need of the hour as violation of human rights has become a day-to-day event in the society and churches are to play an active role in promoting peace, justice and social transformation, he said at the event.
The speaker also talked about the National Food Security Act 2013. The National Food Security Act was also implemented by Nagaland a year ago which is to give access to adequate quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity, the updates stated. Households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) can be entitled to 35 kg of food grains per month and for the Priority Household (PHH) 5 kg per person per month at the rate of Rs.3 per kg for rice and Rs.2 per kg for wheat.
‘The right to food is freedom from hunger. The citizen’s right to be free from hunger enshrined in Article 21 of India Constitution and it is to be ensured the fulfilment of the obligations of the state set out in Article 39 (a) and Art.47 of the constitution of India. Many poor people around the world are going to die because they do not get enough food to eat,’ Savi told the gathering.
In another matter, the speaker said that the State Human Rights Commission was yet to be constituted in Nagaland. Savi, one of the convenors of the anti-corruption organisation the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (Acaut) had in details highlighted the ‘present scenario of corruption prevailing in Nagaland and the urgent requirement of Lokayukta in the state.
“The state government had terribly failed to consider the wishes of the people as a welfare state including totally ignoring the resolutions adopted on 25th August Public Rally hosted by Acaut Nagaland in Dimapur,” the press release stated. He said that the Acaut can never allow the state government to include any provision of prosecution sanction in the proposed Lokayukta.
“The congregation had recommended to introduced Public Services Delivery system which is of time-bound services and Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of street Vending) Act especially to encourage the local people to sell their products i.e., organic in state capital,’ the press release stated.
The statement explained that the congregation had also commented that awareness on consumer rights is still lacking in the town as well as in rural / villages. ‘By coming to know our consumer rights we realise many more related rights such as food safety and standard, RTI, medical negligence; to insist on receipt; check the price and expiry date and other information; fight against unfair business practices; metre box reading in electricity bills; check GST; check sub-standard food items and deficiency services in our daily needs,’ the press release explained.
Further, Savi expressed optimism ‘about the removal of 26 parliamentary secretaries and 9 advisors which is lying before the principal seat of Gauhati High Court and the allowing of only 12 ministers would certainly promote clean election in the forth coming state general assembly election.
