National Consumer Day observed

National Consumer Day observed

Rel. IPR

National Consumer Day observed

21 Dec,Gangtok: The National Consumer Day 2011 was organized on December 20 at Aho Kishan Junior High School playground in East Sikkim.
The programme was attended by the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Mr D.B.Thapa as the chief guest and MLA Namcheybong Constituency, Mr B.B.Rai, Mayor Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Mr K.N.Topgay and Zilla Adhakshya (East) Mr Bimal Dawari as special guests.
The programme started with the welcome address by Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, Mrs Jemima Pradhan who also gave a brief introduction of the consumer rights and duties.
Mr D.B.Thapa in his address urged the people to understand the rights and duties of a consumer. He stated that Government has launched various schemes like Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Annadan Yojana, Mukhya Mantri Khadiya Suraksha Yojana for the people living below poverty line. He also informed that as directed by the Chief Minister during his village to village tour, the department has launched a programme wherein 50 kg rice is being given to those families who have six and more family members. While highlighting the awareness programme, he said that a consumer is often cheated in terms of quantity, quality and price. Therefore, this can be prevented by being alert while buying and exercising one’s right as a consumer. If anyone is being cheated they should not hesitate to approach the authorities or the consumer forum.
Resource persons Mr Mahesh Sharma, Assistant Controller spoke on Consumer Protection Act and its activities in the state of Sikkim. Mr C.K.Sharma Deputy Controller deliberated on legal methodology and Package Commodities Act and Rules while Mr K.K.Kafley, Additional Secretary of the Department gave an account on public distribution system and various schemes undertaken by the Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department. Resource persons from IT and CT Division, Health Care, Human Services and Family Welfare Department and State Legal Services Authority also gave talk in their respective topics.
The programme was also addressed by MLA Namcheybong constituency Mr B.B.Rai followed by vote of thanks by Mr L.P.Panday, Additional Secretary Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.