SHILLONG: The Department of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University conducted a two-day awareness programme on Consumer Rights at Nongspung on May 9 and 10.
A skit competition focusing on the theme of consumer rights was held on the first day of the programme. Various schools of Nongspung participated in this competition where Nongspung Presbyterian Secondary School emerged victorious.
Special talks were held for the benefit of the residents of Nongspung onj the second day by representatives of the Metrology and Food and Civil Supplies Department.
He urged the villagers to be vigilant and wary of the way their commodities are weighed and measured when they buy anything. He further emphasised that under the Legal Metrology Act it is the consumer’s legal right to demand for correct weights and measures when buying anything and the seller’s legal obligation to provide correct weights and measures when selling.
S War, an official of the Food Civil Supplies, talked about the importance and benefits that can be gained from the seeding of Aadhar and ration card. He also briefed the villagers about the various means that can be accessed for queries and complaints regarding food distribution.
The students of MLCU also had an interactive session with the villagers of Nongspung during which the villagers shared their problems regarding the food ration distribution. The villagers said that the rice they get is very dirty to a point that it is inedible.
They added that there is no proper distribution between the individuals entitled for APL and BPL rice. The allocation of rice is also not proportionate to the number of family members.
They also lamented on the fact that they do not get important commodities like oil and sugar. They had attempted to approach the authorities with their grievances but to no avail.