Chief Minister of Tripura Dr. Manik Saha emphasized the need for heightened consumer awareness and the enforcement of consumer protection laws while inaugurating a state-level consumer awareness seminar at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Monday. Organized by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, the event also saw the formation of consumer clubs at the school and college levels to promote informed consumer practices among students.
In his address, Dr. Saha highlighted the significance of consumers obtaining accurate cash memos when purchasing goods, which can aid in accessing prompt legal services in case of disputes.
“Raising awareness is crucial to safeguard consumers from fraud, whether in online purchases or real estate transactions,” he said, reinforcing the need for frequent awareness campaigns to protect consumers in various sectors.
A noteworthy initiative introduced at the event is the establishment of consumer clubs in 100 schools and 18 colleges across the state. These clubs aim to foster a culture of awareness and responsibility among young consumers, equipping them with knowledge of their rights and the means to protect themselves from exploitation.
Dr. Saha also underscored the government’s commitment to transparency in the public distribution system (PDS), mentioning the introduction of the e-PDS system. He informed the audience that old ration cards are being replaced with durable PVC cards to prevent wear and tear, enhancing service efficiency.
Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs of the State, Sushanta Chowdhury, lauded Tripura’s reputation for its robust public distribution system, which has been digitized to ensure that genuine consumers receive their entitlements. To make the system more people-friendly, the department is offering additional benefits, including free distribution of 1 kg of sugar, 2 kg of maida, and 500 grams of suji to consumers ahead of Durga Puja.
Justice Arindam Lodh of the High Court of Tripura and president of Tripura State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission remarked raising consumer awareness is essential in the digital age, particularly as fraudulent activities evolve with technology.
Among others, Mayor of the Agartala Municipality Council (AMC) Dipak Majumdar and Director of the Food Department Nirmal Adhikari were also present in the programme.
During the program, the Chief Minister unveiled the inaugural edition of the Food Department’s quarterly magazine, Bhokta Sangbad, which focuses on consumer rights and protection. Winners of an essay competition on consumer rights, organized by the department, were also felicitated.
In line with the government’s decisions, Dr. Saha launched two additional programs: a Puja grant of Rs 2,000 for over 600 Food Department workers and the free distribution of suji, maida, and sugar through the PDS as part of the Durga Puja celebrations.
(Tripura, Tripura News)