MARGAO: GOACAN launched its consumer rights and responsibilities awareness fortnight by holding a meeting of volunteers of Paroda-Avedem Civic & Consumer Forum on Sunday, March 1 as part of its ongoing consumer literacy campaign.
"The awareness drive which seeks to remind consumers to assert their rights and assume their responsibilities when they purchase goods and services will end on March 15 (World Consumer Rights Day)", said co-ordinator Roland Martins.
He further informed that the activities during the fortnight will cover the rights of the consumers under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, the Standards of Weights & Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules 1977, the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and the BIS Act 2016.
"As one focus of the awareness drive will be on the importance of food safety, consumers will be alerted to be aware of the contents of packaged food and the ripening of fruits sold in the markets", he added.
Safety and quality Standards for products and services will be another focus of the awareness drive wherein consumers will be alerted about the fire safety norms for LPG cylinders and electrical appliances which must have the ISI mark.
GOACAN will give special focus to the consumer's right to seek redressal with regards to fair price shops, post offices, banks, mobile and landline telephones, cable TV, LPG cylinders, electricity, bus transport, goods & services tax and service at public toilets among other issues.
Special focus will also be on spreading awareness among consumers on the various helplines available to report complaints and the redressal agencies available to file complaints like the Consumer Conciliation Committee, District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Roland also appealed that the consumers are invited to send copies of their complaints and suggestions to GOACAN Post Box 187, Margao 403 601 or by email to goacancomplaintscell@gmail.com during the fortnight.