the goan I network
PANAJI
The need for consumers to be aware of their rights and fight to secure them was underscored by several consumer activists at the State Consumer Rights Day organised by the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs in the city on Monday.
On the occasion, speakers who have been working for consumers’ rights in the
state called upon those present to assert their rights as consumers.
Amita Salatry, member of the Consumer Conciliation Committee (DCS & CA) gave several real life examples of those who had been cheated without realisation.
“Being aware of our rights is so important,” she said, adding that if every school and college had to call members of the Consumer Conciliation Committe to give a session to their students, it would go a long way to avoid cases of cheating.
Roland Martins, co-ordinator of GOACAN, said it was apt that June 25 is commemorated as Consumer Rights Day because it was the day the ‘Consumer Protection Act’ came into force.
Martins congratulated Govind Gaude, Minister for Civil Supplies and Consumer Affair, on his appointment to the Central Consumer Protection Council saying it was for the first time Goa had representation.
Martins also impressed upon the audience that it is not just a right but duty of every consumer to express their views and displeasure if packaging of a product is single-use plastic.
“You can even refuse the product in question,” he said.
While congratulating Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for discouraging plastic film wrapped around bouquets, Martins said the move would automatically make florists in the state change the presentation of flowers.
Sebastian Vales, the President of the North Goa Consumer Forum explained how it was the duty of the consumer to be properly informed especially while signing insurance agreements to counter false representation and avoid harassment while claiming insurance.
He also urged citizens to make use of the services of the consumer forums in both districts of Goa to get compensation or replacement of
goods and services that are faulty.
“Our homes are getting smarter with ‘smart’ technology, but we need to become smarter too,” he quipped.
Gaude in his speech said companies were raking in crores of rupees of additional profit because consumers refrain from asserting their rights.
“Very often we let it go if it’s a question of a rupee or two. We don’t have the time to pursue it even if we know we’re being cheated. Telecom companies get away with a lot, simply because we do not pursue matters. It is time to change this,” he said.
