By TC News Desk
Agartala, 24th December 2024: Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) department in collaboration with the Higher Education, Home and Transport departments is planning to launch awareness camps and programs on ‘Jago Grahak Jago,’ ‘Road Safety,’ and ‘Anti-Drugs’ in 25 higher educational institutions next week. This announcement was made by Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday during the observation of ‘National Consumers Day’ at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala on Tuesday.
Addressing the program, Minister Chowdhury emphasized a holistic approach in collaboration with the Transport and Home departments. “We are launching awareness programs in 25 colleges, including general degree, polytechnic, and professional institutions. The awareness camps and programs will focus on ‘Jago Grahak Jago,’ ‘Road Safety,’ and ‘Anti-Drugs.’ Initiatives will also include processions, quiz competitions, and prize distributions over the next week. This program will be earmarked in our calendar year,” he stated.
Chowdhury highlighted the importance of awareness, particularly with the upcoming ‘Road Safety Month’ in January. “Our priority is awareness. There is no force on Earth that can stop us, but we lack the necessary mindset. However, if we conduct this campaign every year, people will become more aware. Even if only 10 people are reached, society will benefit. We aim to create a mass movement,” he added.
The Minister also discussed future state-level activities with multiple departments, focusing on awareness. “The presence and attentiveness of students and teachers are crucial. We always observe black marketing, where consumers are exploited. Prices are rising, and traders are imposing penalties. We aim to amend the Essential Commodities Act, which falls under the Concurrent List. Without modification by the Government of India, we cannot proceed. The EC Act can provide exemplary punishments. We must rely on awareness,” he explained.
Chowdhury stressed the need for vigilance and consumer awareness. “We understand that we are being deprived, but we are not taking action due to a lack of awareness or the futility of making enemies. Paying 5-10 rupees extra and getting deceived repeatedly becomes a practice if not opposed. This is deteriorating the system. We have discussed consumer awareness at many colleges, with good responses from principals. The Consumer Protection Forum is funded by the Government of India. Awareness campaigns are funded through the interest of the corpus fund,” he noted.
Retired District and Sessions Court Judge and ex-president of the Tripura State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Ruhi Das Paul, emphasized the advancements in the digital era and the initiation of e-courts within the judiciary.
Advocate Sanjay Bhattacharjee highlighted the significance of the Consumer Protection Act and its impact on consumer rights.
The event also saw the presence of FCS&CA department’s Joint Director Abhijit Biswas, Jirania SDM Shanti Ranjan Chakma, Mohanpur SDM Subhash Datta, Sadar SDM Manik Lal Das, ration shop dealers, merchant association members, school students, and teachers.
