Mangalore, Mar 15: The level of awareness among people of Dakshina Kannada district concerning consumer rights is unsatisfactory, said N Prakash, Deputy Commissioner, DK.
Speaking after inaugurating a programme as part of the 'World Consumer Day' jointly organized by the district administration and DK District Federation of Consumer Organizations in Mangalore on Friday, Mr.Prakash said that although there is a decent level of awareness about various matters among people of Dakshina Kannada, awareness with regard to consumer rights is not satisfactory.
“Youth have to be more aware of consumer rights. There are hundreds of day to day instances where consumer rights are violated in ways of faulty measurements, sale of products at rates higher than the prescribed MRP, poor quality of products, defective services etc, which are not paid attention to. People are not aware that they can even get quantity of petrol and diesel checked in petrol bunks before filling them in their vehicles”, Mr. Prakash said.
C Mallikarjuna, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), DK, said that he is aware of the problem of passengers not being given tickets in buses. “We have already given computerized ticket machines to a few buses. By next year, we will make sure that every bus operates with the ticket machines”, he said.
Stating that people's frustration at honking of buses is understandable, Mr. Mallikarjuna said that bus drivers and conductors also work under pressure and deadlines, which makes them resort to honking and behaving rudely with passengers at times. The RTO has taken initiatives to replace loud horns in buses with reasonably audible ones. “About 60-65% of such horns have been replaced. We will implement it cent per cent soon”, he said.
M G Salian, President, DK District Federation of Consumer Organizations, said that the common consumer today is lethargic and unwilling to fight for consumer rights. Attempts are being made to create consumer rights awareness among people, especially students, he said.
“We have 56 Consumer Clubs in schools across the district. We guide MSW students at PG level in colleges to create consumer rights awareness. It is a misconception that the District Consumer Redressal Forum is a toothless body. The government, after recent amendments, has given the Forum First Class Magistrate powers. It has enough teeth to bite. It can even order imprisonment to the guilty”, he said.
Students who excelled at their projects on consumer right awareness in schools and colleges in activities conducted by the DK District Federation of Consumer Organizations were awarded with prizes on the occasion.
Sharana Basappa, Deputy Director, Department of Food and Civil Supplies, DK, Dr. Laxminarayana Bhatta, Principal, University College, Mangalore, were also present.
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