National Consumer Day observed in Mangan

MANGAN, 26 Dec: The Legal Metrology Unit and Consumer Protection Cell (LMU & CP), Food & Civil supplies and Consumer Affairs department (FCS & CAD), observed National Consumer Day 2013 at Mangan community centre on 24 December. The programme was chaired by Area MLA, Lachen-Mangan, TW Lepcha as chief guest.
Welcoming the gathering Secretary, FCS & CAD, CT Wangdi stated that the department is working towards making consumers aware of their rights. In the technical session, Deputy Director, FCS & CAD, Gangtok, RG Pradhan informed consumers that total number of BPL consumers in the state is 41,428 and are covered under the PDS system. At present 16, 415 persons are covered under Mukhya Mantri Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (MMAAY).
The central government and state government is providing sugar at Rs.13.50 per kg under PDS system and senior citizens above 65 years of age not covered by pension schemes are being provided 10 kgs of rice, he informed.
Deputy Controller, LMU&CP Cell, CK Pradhan informed that the department was established in the year 1991 in Sikkim. He also informed that, any individual can file or register a complaint with the district consumer forum for claims upto Rs 25 lakh. After registration, the case will be settled within 21 to 30 days, he added.
District consumer forum member, Ugen Palzor Lepcha, who recently attended a training on the Consumer Protection Act in New Delhi, informed about various consumer cases. SLSA, representative, Tshering Wongyal Bhutia informed that the SLSA provides free legal aid to those who have income below Rs 1.50 lakh.
District Collector (N), CP Dhakal in his address stressed on the importance of awareness on the part of consumers. The chief guest Mr Lepcha said that the Consumer Affairs department should organize such awareness programmes in other districts as well.
The programme was attended by other officials and local public.