Ignorance of rights resulting in exploitation of consumers

Warangal: Lack of awareness on consumer’s rights is leading to exploitation of consumers, pointed out the State Consumers Federation vice-president Dr Pallepadu Damodar.

He said the traders and consumer products companies, cashing in on the innocence of consumers, have been manipulating the consumers. This is happening despite the State and Central governments have introduced several legislations to protect consumers’ interests.

He addressed a gathering at Consumer Awareness Camp organised by the District Consumers Council at Government Polytechnic College in Warangal on Friday. He urged the consumers to be vigilant and aware of their rights. Since the introduction of Consumers Protection Act in 1986, only three per cent of population in the country is aware of the provisions of the Act. The public, while purchasing the goods and services, should obtain receipts for the cash they paid.

By doing so they could get compensation from the concerned seller, trader or company if their services or goods are found to be faulty. The public should approach the Consumer Councils in their respective areas to get remedy, Damodar suggested. Warangal urban food safety officer A Rajendra Prasad addressing the gathering expressed concern over decline of quality in the food items being sold in the market. Majority of processed foods and those sold on the road side are being made using synthetic preservatives and colours. Such food when consumed could prove dangerous to one’s health, he cautioned.

Additional civil supplies officer K Srinivas said that public should not purchase products by selling the price above the MRP. Similarly, there it is not mandatory to pay the service tax. If any person finds violation of such rules, they could approach the department at its WhatsApp number: 7330774444, he said.

Warangal rural food safety officer V Jyothirmayi wanted the public to be cautious of food adulteration. The food items sold loosely in the streets are susceptible to adulteration; she noted while the district legal metrology officer E Srilatha demonstrated how the traders deceive the consumers. The college principal B Abhinav, Warangal urban civil supplies officer N Vijayalakshmi, Mahabubabad food safety officer R Kiran Kumar, the college students, faculty and public are present.