SHILLONG: As part of the International Consumer Rights Day which is observed on March 15 every year, the Department of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University on Friday organized a mass awareness campaign on consumer rights in Pynursla, East Khasi Hills District.
The awareness programme was attended by the headmen of the three villages falling under Pynursla along with other members of the community, students of the department of Social Work, MLCU, faculty members etc.
The resource persons for this awareness programme included A. War, Inspector of Supply, East Khasi Hills, Shillong and R. Nongkhlaw, Sub- Inspector, Supply.
War gave a brief talk on the different aspects and benefits of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 1986 and advised the villagers and the students to be aware of the rights that have been made for their benefit and stated that these laws can help them from getting duped by sellers be it retailers, wholesalers, shopkeepers etc.
Nongkhlaw, while talking on the different kinds of punishable acts under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, informed that the common practice of giving sweets or chewing gum instead of small change was an illegal act.
The consumer can refuse to accept these substitutes and instead can lodge a complaint with the authorities in the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Horse Shoe Building, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong, or can send an email at meg-sforum@nic.in.
After the meeting, the students of the 6th Semester, Bachelor of Social Work, MLCU, went on a house to house visit in Pynursla and talked to members of each and every household about the various rights that they have as a consumers/customers while also distributing pamphlets with further detailed information on the Consumer Rights Protection Act.
