Awareness is key for consumer rights protection

Mahbubnagar: Spreading awareness about the consumers rights in order to help them avail quality products at reasonable prices is the key for consumer protection, averred members of District Consumer Information Cell, while celebrating week-long National Consumer Day celebrations in Mahbubnagar on Tuesday.

The celebration that began on December 18 and will go on till December 23. Speaking at a programme organised at Sri Vasavi Degree College in Mahbubnagar, P Balalingaiah, Convenor of District Consumer Information Cell said, “This year, we are organising week-long awareness programmes in schools and colleges across the district. The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Digital Marketing: Issues and Challenges in Consumer Protection’.

As part of this, we are creating awareness about the fast-emerging digital and online marketing trends and asking the consumers to be vigilant before going for digital shopping. Our main objective is to spread awareness to as many people as possible about the consumer rights and protection forums.” While addressing the students of Vasavi Degree College, Sarada Priyadarsini, District Civil Supply Officer said every person must be educated on consumer rights.

“Unless and until consumers are educated about their rights, it is impossible to bring the fraudulent traders and businessmen to justice. Therefore, awareness is the major key for consumer protection. People must learn how to buy goods intelligently and must ensure taking bills for every purchase,” said Sarada Priyadarshini.

The members felt that every individual is a consumer and should take the responsibility to spread awareness about their rights as a responsible citizen. “Let's be united and question the trader s and business people who do not maintain quality goods and commodities,” averred Sreenivaasaiah, Correspondent of District Information Cell.

Dr Vijay Kumar, Coordinator of District Consumer Information Cell also called for unity among the consumers and said consumer awareness must be a continuous process. “Sensitising the consumers about their rights from time to time and providing right platforms for addressing their grievances is very important to effectively protect the interests of consumers,” observed Rajanikanth, Director of District Consumer Information Cell.

Srinivas Reddy and other members of the District Consumer Protection Cell also participated in the awareness programme.