National Consumer Rights Day observed in Hailakandi

Hailakandi, December 25, 2018:

The 33rd National Consumer Rights Day was observed in Hailakandi organised jointly by the Hailakandi district administration and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) at the Officers' Recreation Club here to create awareness among the consumers of their rights and responsibilities.

The theme of this year is 'Timely disposal of consumer complaints ".

On this day, the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President. The enactment of the Act is considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.

District Coordinator, NYKS, Sekhar Ranjan Deb said the day provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities. "Observance of this day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and promote the basic rights and responsibilities of all consumers," said Deb.

The Consumer Protection Act was enacted with the objective of providing better protection to consumer’s interest.

The Act provides effective safeguards to the consumer against various types of exploitations and unfair dealings, relying mainly on compensatory rather than a disciplinary or preventive approach.

The Act applies to all goods and services unless specifically exempted, which covers the private, public and cooperative sectors. It also provides speedy and inexpensive adjudication.

The Act envisages the promotion and protection of rights of consumers such as Right to Safety, Right to be informed, Right to Choose and Right to be heard.

Recently, on December 20, 2018 Lok Sabha passed the Consumer Protection Bill 2018 to amend the Act. The bill calls for strict punishment, including jail terms and hefty fines for misleading advertisements and food adulteration.