International Consumers Day was observed today at the Coimbatore collector office. District Collector T.N. Hariharan, when speaking in the meeting said, “From the day we are born, until we die we live as consumers. But the awareness on consumerism is very less. In the past 50 years we have got education and our people are aware about their constitutional rights which have let us to understand the situation and enabled us to demand our rights.”
“Consumer is the one who buys a services or a product. Consumer protection act was written on 4th December in 1986. The day is celebrated as the National Consumer Day. Under the law the citizen has many rights, including the right to information and right to selection. As there are consumer rights there are consumer duties like consumption for the need, complaining against the mal practitioners and responsibility towards environment.”
“Adulteration is killing us. There is no use worrying after we have been cheated. So we have to be aware of consumerism and the rights of a consumer. If cheating is a crime then allowing one to cheat is also a crime. We should have knowledge on consumerism and the rights that has been granted through ourconstitution. As consumers, we have to understand our responsibilities.”
“Adulteration is everywhere in everything. We should be aware of the product's quality and guarantee before we are making a purchase and also should demand bills for all the purchases we make. We should also be aware on how to get relief for a purchased product as per the Consumer protection act 1986. It is the reason the state and the central government are taking the consumer education to all sections of the society.”
To celebrate the Consumer Protection Act, this world consumer awareness day is celebrated with the theme “27 years of achievement”. On this day everyone should take an oath to be aware of rights and duties as a consumer.”
The district collector also distributed the memorial prizes to the schools and colleges who have been selected as the best Citizen Consumer Centres. Nirmala College for Women, Coimbatore, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Maha Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women. Coimbatore, Ra.Se. Government school in Ondipudhur, Devanga Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore and Idigarai Govt High School were awarded.
Saravanamurthy from Distribution and Consumer and Civil Supplies, Corporation welcomed the gathering. Officials from the District Labour Welfare, Food Security and Medicines Management explained to the participants about the project ‘Special Thasildar for Consumer Goods’. Jegadessan delivered the thanking address.
Principal of Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Maha Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, R. Premalatha, Consumer Protection Group, President Chenniyappan, President of Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Center, George, and Secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Organisation, Logu, School and college students participated in this function.