Team Herald
Margao: GOACAN has commenced Vigilance Awareness Week celebrations on Monday. The weeklong which celebrations will continue till November 5 will highlight the need for consumers to be vigilant against the malpractices being carried out by government and commercial agencies which is causing financial loss to the consumer.
The Convener of GOACAN has informed that they have started a SMS campaign giving Tel. Nos/websites to consumers to file complaints. GOACAN has urged the consumers if they have cases of overcharging on MRP then they can make complaints to Legal Metrology Dept Office at Margao, FDA and visit www.dfda.goa.gov.in for complaints related to food safety or quality. GOACAN volunteers will examine complaints about deficiency in service due to lack of supervision by officials in matters concerning bus transport, food safety etc.
, packaged commodities, fire safety, telephone services, cable TV, LPG cylinders, public toilets, fair price shops, banking services, post offices and health services among others.
During the Week, GOACAN volunteers will also visit Government offices to check for the availability of the public grievance officer citizens charter and the suggestion cum complaint book.
Special focus will be on the officials responsible for enforcement of the provisions of the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act 2002 & Rules 2003, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 & Goa Rules 2009, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 and Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.
GOACAN volunteers during this Awareness Week, will make efforts to popularise the benefits of the Right To Information Act 2005, ensure the implementation of its provisions and the obligations of Public Authorities.
GOACAN will co-ordinate with Consumer Forums to ensure that the gram sabha meetings discuss the appointment of the Vigilance Committee in all Village Panchayats by the Government of Goa as mandated by the Goa Panchayati Raj Act.GOACAN will also co-ordinate with the volunteers of the Goa Women Forum to be vigilant to ensure the implementation of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, sections of the Criminal Law (amendment) Act 2013 regarding Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation and ensure action against Escort Service websites promoting Sex Tourism in Goa.
During the week consumers are requested to send copies of their consumer complaints / suggestions by email to [email protected]
