World Consumer Rights Day, 2023 under Namchi District

Namchi, 15th March (IPR): Minister, Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. L. B. Das attended the ‘World Consumer Rights Day, 2023’ at officers club, Namchi, today. He was accompanied by Chairman Namchi Municipal Council (NMC) Mr. Ganesh Rai, Chairperson Building and Housing Department Mr. Tashi Dorjee Tamang, NMC Councillors, Panchayats and members of fair price shops in and around Namchi District. The programme organized by Legal Metrology Unit and Consumer Protection Cell, Food and Civil Supplies Department was themed ‘Clean Energy Transmission’; also present amongst others were Additional Controller Mr. L. B. Pradhan alongside Deputy Controller Mr. Jikmi Kazi, Joint Controller Mr. Mahesh Sharma, DCSO (South) Mr. Tenzing Bhutia as resource persons.
Addressing, the gathering Chief Guest Minister Mr. L. B. Das congratulated the gathering on the occasion of ‘World Consumer Rights Day, 2023’ and said that this day commemorates to generate awareness on consumer rights and consumer protection. He emphasized to ensure that consumers are not subjected to market misuse and be mindful of their rights and how it should be used in their day-to-day lives. Additionally, he cited examples wherein local consumers face while purchasing certain items such as paying higher price, lack of information, lack of sales service and many more issues in this regards he strongly urged to utilize the redressal forums for which the concerned department is always at their service. Moreover, he also spoke about the advantages of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and its nationwide portability for lifting the entitled food grains and underlined the attendees to understand the concept of ONORC in detail.
Speaking, during the occasion Chairman Mr. Ganesh Rai highlighted the importance of this program particularly to the consumers and sellers of Namchi District. He said that the main function of any business is customer satisfaction and for the business to progress services should be at par. Therefore, the rights of the end-users which is consumers should be considered and underscored. Through, this educative programme the business owners and other local gentry’s need to learn of the Rights provided by the Government and if any queries arises then put forth their suggestions.
The Resource Persons Mr. Jikmi Kazi, Mr. Mahesh Sharma and Mr. Tenzing Bhutia presented a brief on National Food Security Act, 2013, ONORC, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and others. It was also mentioned that the ration distributed under the National Food Security Act to eligible beneficiaries is audited socially every year and that the Namchi district has alrerady audited during the Gram Sabhas and confirmed that benefit have been availed by genuine persons only in terms of quality and quantity. Brief on Legal Metrology Act, 2011 which is an Act to establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce was articulated. Similarly, Rights of Consumers and Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and Redressal Mechanism was also expressed in which rights of the consumers, misleading advertisements, imposing penalties and many other factors was shared. They also emphasised on receiving receipts after purchasing as it is an official record that represents proof of a financial transaction or purchase. The overall aim of this session was to provide assistance, promote, protect the welfare of the consumers and strengthen the consumer movement in the state.
During the course of the program the Chief Guest also handed over dustbins meant for segregation of wet and dry waste for sustainability purpose.