Tripura High Court Judge and Tripura State Consumer Commission Chairman Justice Arindam Lodh highlighted the critical importance of consumer awareness during a special event held at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Tuesday. Speaking as a special guest at the inauguration of a consumer awareness discussion cycle and open quiz competition, Justice Lodh called for similar programs to be implemented across all schools in the state to educate the youth about their consumer rights and responsibilities from an early age.
Justice Lodh emphasized, “The students and youth, who are an important part of today’s society and the future of the state and country, must be aware of consumer rights and regulations from this stage itself. A purchaser should know about his freedoms and obligations given by the authorities with respect to advertising and marketing practices. This is a vital right as it sets the foundation for fair trade practices, ensuring consumers are aware of their rights.”
The event, organized under the initiative of the Sadar sub-divisional administration, aimed to empower consumers and promote awareness of their rights and responsibilities. Minister for Food, Public Procurement, and Consumer Affairs Sushanta Chowdhury, who also addressed the gathering, underscored the significance of informed consumers in driving societal progress.
“Consumer awareness is significant so that purchasers can make the best decision and settle on the ideal choice,” said Minister Chowdhury. He urged citizens to actively collaborate with the government to curb the activities of unscrupulous traders. “Consumers play a crucial role in our society. When consumers are well-informed, the state advances more rapidly,” he stated.
Minister Chowdhury also highlighted the importance of human resources, stressing that an aware populace contributes to the overall development of the country. He assured consumers that the state has established Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, with four consumer courts already operational in West, South, Dhalai, and North districts. Additionally, plans are underway to set up consumer courts in the remaining four districts of the state.
The event saw the presence of several notable figures, including Satyendra Singh, Chairman of Tripura Gramin Bank, and Animesh Debbarma, Acting Director of the Department of Food, Public Procurement, and Consumer Affairs, who delivered the welcome speech. Debbarma encouraged consumers to utilize the National Consumer Helpline (1915) for assistance.
The discussion cycle witnessed active participation from students, ration dealers, and consumers, reflecting a broad spectrum of the community’s interest in consumer rights. Tripura Gramin Bank contributed by distributing 100 water filters to fair price shops, benefiting consumers across the region.
The open quiz competition, which was a highlight of the event, saw enthusiastic participation from students of various colleges and schools. Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and Ramnagar MLA Dipak Majumdar presided over the event, and prizes were awarded to the winners, adding a celebratory note to the day’s proceedings.
The event marked a significant step towards fostering a culture of informed and empowered consumers in Tripura, reinforcing the state’s commitment to consumer rights and fair trade practices.
