World Consumer Rights Day was observed at Dimapur in a state level function cum public rally organized jointly by department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (LM&CP), Nagaland Voluntary Consumers\u2019 Organization (NVCO) and Consumer Society Dimapur District (CSDD) at Millennium Market Dimapur on Monday.\nSpeaking on the occasion as chief guest, state LM&CP secretary IAS, K. T. Sukhalu stressed on the need to sensitize citizens on their rights and protection and said it was essential for people to be aware of the prices that they pay for goods and services which greatly impact their lives.
\nHe said that the observation of consumer rights day served as a platform for promoting consumer awareness and measures undertaken by the government and agencies involved in consumer protection and welfare.
\nSukhalu expressed confidence that with the growing literacy rate in the state, consumer awareness would soon become a people\u2019s movement. He said the government was taking steps to ensure that State Commission and District Foras become fully functional at the earliest. Sukhalu also said that the district administration had a vital role to play in promoting the welfare of consumers.
\nOn the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, he appealed to the district administration to ensure public\/consumer rights. The chief guest feted NVCO for launching state-wide consumer education and its efforts in promoting consumer awareness among the people of Nagaland.
\nAddressing the rally on the central theme of the occasion \u2018Be Financially Literate, Save your Investment,\u2019 resource person of the programme NVCO president & advocate, Kezhokhoto Savi emphasized on exploitation of consumers\u2019 rights in the state.
\nHe said that unlike other places in India, Nagaland did not produce anything except agricultural products and everything have to be imported from outside the state making the public pay \u2018exorbitant\u2019 prices even for items which were available cheaply elsewhere in the country. He voiced concern over the issue of illegal taxation in the state.
\nCiting the indifference in many people towards a 50p or a one rupee change, Savi said, \u2018we do not know the value of money that is why we believe in easy money.\u2019
\nCentral government council\/Gauhati High Court (Kohima Bench) advocate, P. B. Paul also exhorted the gathering while CSDD president, Vinito Chophi delivered vote of thanks. The rally was attended by consumer activists, business community, department staff and public of Dimapur.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"