On the eve of National Consumer Rights Day, Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum organized a public meeting, awareness programme and free legal aid camp for the victim consumers at Panjabari in Guwahati on Monday in collaboration with Jyotishikha Mahila Samannay Parishad.
Attending as a chief guest in the programme, Khagen Dohotia, retired district and session judge elaborately describe about the provisions of Consumer Protection Act 1986.
In his speech Dohotia said, “This act gives us more power to protect our rights as a consumer. Most of us are not aware with our rights. After shopping, even we never go through the cash memo a single time. Without the cash memo, we cannot claim compensation. A victim consumer can knock the door of District Consumer forum, State and National Consumer Commission if he has the case memo in his hand for justice.”
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary of Consumers’ Legal Protection Forum spoke about the rights of consumers. He informed that under no circumstance should consumers pay more than the maximum retail price (MRP).
They can actually bargain over the MRP. The shop owners cannot put their own stickers to make an extra profit on the commodities.
He also said that everyone should be aware with the misleading advertisement broadcast in the TV channels. At the time of online shopping, we should go thoroughly with the terms & conditions of the business house, he added.
“We should raise our voice strongly against the medical negligence cases. Financial institutions can’t offer the benefits to its consumers above rate fixed by RBI,” he also warned.
Attending the programme, noted writer and retired civil servant Tabiul Hussain share his experiences about the harassment by the bank authorities, wrong treatment of hospitals and doctors etc.
He appealed everyone to make themselves more aware to avoid the unwanted hassles. Other participants, representing various organizations also share their experiences as to how they are cheated by the road side vendors to shopping malls.