Additional Controller and Head of Department LMCP, Advocate Sunjib Rana, Assistant Controller, LMCP Kohima, Shiekhozo Shiekhozo and others participants during consumer awareness programme held at Don Bosco School, Kohima on June 30. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima, | June 30
Consumers should be informed and confident, exercising their right to choose by checking product information, quality and standards before making purchases, speakers said at a consumer awareness programme organised by the Department of Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection (DLMCP), Kohima, at Don Bosco School on Tuesday.
The programme, held under the theme "Safe Products, Confident Consumer," aimed to promote consumer awareness and responsible purchasing practices.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Controller and Head of Department, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, Nagaland, Limatoshi Jamir, said consumers should be aware of the mandatory declarations on goods and services and verify them before making purchases.
Observing that confident consumers are still difficult to find, particularly in rural areas, he stressed the need to empower people through greater awareness.
Everything will be right when all become smart consumers, Jamir maintained, calling upon the students to be aware of their rights.
"You must know what is right and what is wrong. Find out by yourself what is the best thing for you," he added, urging the students to be wise and conscious consumers.
Resource person Sunjib Rana, Advocate and Retainer Lawyer with the Kohima District Legal Services Authority, highlighted the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, stating that the law empowers consumers and protects their rights.
He called upon the students to ensure that whatever products they buy from the market are safe and secure.
Consumers have the right to choose products, and people should insist on correct information to avoid defective products, he advocated.
He encouraged students to stay informed and seek redressal in cases of unfair trade practices or other anomalies.
Assistant Controller, LMCP Kohima, Shiekhozo, highlighted the department's role in ensuring fair trade practices, accurate weights and measures, and safeguarding consumer rights.
The department is responsible for enforcing standards in weights and measures, preventing commercial malpractices and addressing consumer grievances, he informed.
He said the department has been conducting awareness programmes in educational institutions and with NGOs to promote consumer awareness.
Earlier, welcoming the participants, Principal of Don Bosco School, Fr Panmei Innocent Liangkamang, said consumer awareness is closely linked to justice, adding: "When people are cheated, when unsafe products are sold, when measurements are unfair, when information is hidden, society suffers. But when citizens are aware of their rights and responsibilities, society becomes stronger, safer and more honest."
A responsible consumer, he added, is one who checks, thinks, questions and chooses wisely. The programme was chaired by Silo Jemu, Inspector, LMCP Kohima.
