Rana calls for setting up of Helplines for consumer redressal in J&K

JAMMU, December 29: Senior BJP leader Mr Devender Singh Rana today urged the Union Territory Government to set up  Consumer Helplines across Jammu and Kashmir, as part of grievance redressal mechanism, saying consumer satisfaction is imperative for growth and success of businesses.

“District Consumer Forums assume immense significance for being the immediate platform for the consumer to seek redressal”, Mr Rana said while speaking at a function held in observance of National Consumer Day, organized by the Jammu & Kashmir Unit of Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) at K L Sehgal Sabhaghar, here.

Mr Rana, who was the Chief Guest at the function, said special emphasis needs to be laid on mitigating the consumers of rural areas who form a large chunk of the end clientele. Since they have limited access to the redressal forums, help lines are needed to be set up to cater to their requirements. He also sought a vibrant consumer awareness campaign, hoping that the participants could be change agents in this regard.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Mr Arun Gupta, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce, Mr Madan Lal Magotra, Deputy Commissioner Food and Drugs Administration, Jammu and Mr Suhail Qazmi, Member Waqf Board. 

The programme began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by the guests. The students of the Bhartiya Vidya Mandir and Bal Bharti Ved Mandir performed Grahak Geet and Sarawati Vandana.

Mahant Rajesh Bittu State President ABGP along with office bearers of the organization formally welcomed the eminent dignitaries by presenting them bouquets.

Mr Rakesh highlighted the annual performance of ABGP state unit while Mr Thakur Dass Sharma, General Secretary of the organization dewalt in details about aims and objectives of ABGP and annual report.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Arun Gupta, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce said the consumer rights had to be honoured by the business class to ensure credible bonding. For this, every effort has to be made to instill a sense of confidence among the consumers and provide them all available forums to register their grievances, he added.

Mr Gupta also stressed the crucial need of making Swach Bharat Abhiyan a success, especially in the most thronged pilgrim city of North India that remains a destination for lakhs of people 24X7.

Mr Sohail Qazmi highlighted the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and its amendments in 2019. He also dwelt upon in detail about the RTI and exhorted the consumers to remain vigilant about their rights.

Mr Madan Lal Magotra, while speaking on the occasion, cautioned the audience to remain vigilant while purchasing consumer commodities particularly the eatables and there should be no compromise in quality standard of the products. He also assured full cooperation of the Food and Drug Administration in ensuring flow of quality products in the markets.

Surinder Kumar, BDC, Marh, Kuldeep Kumar, BDC Bhalwal, Rana Partap Singh, Sarpanch Ghrota and others were also present at the function.