MARGAO: During the recently concluded Vigilance Awareness week, citizens from South Goa filed a numerous complaints with the government on the grounds that they have suffered financial losses or faced hardships as consumers and hoped that the District Consumer Protection Council takes action. Government officials stated that such matters would be looked into a case-to-case basis.
These complaints included alleged financial losses due to bike dealership closures, sanitary problems with fast food operators, unconfirmed weight of pre-packed items at markets, restricted access to complaint books in bank branches, underweight LPG gas cylinders, fraudulent travel agencies, sale of fake goods, deceptive practices by bars/restaurants, and unauthorized taxes by shopkeepers.
These issues came to light during the demonstration that was held by GOACAN outside the Old Collectorate Building in Margao. The awareness action by GOACAN volunteers was to highlight the need for consumers to be vigilant against the malpractices being carried out by government and commercial agencies.
“The complaints received by GOACAN from various consumers during the week, give a clear indication that there is a failure on the part of the government officials responsible for supervision of the inspectors and other field staff,” said Roland Martins, GOACAN co-ordinator.
He emphasized the presence of scamsters in Goa, exploiting and deceiving people, attributing this to a failure in vigilance across departments. They have received numerous consumer complaints, primarily from Salcete and South Goa, regarding these alleged fraudulent activities
Martins added that GOACAN got a good response to its special activity during the awareness week called “Spot the Deficiency, Identify the Official, Pursue the Remedy” from the volunteers of Consumer Forums and Consumer Welfare Clubs and members of SHGs, Social Clubs and Housing Societies in South Goa.
GOACAN has resolved to demand from the Government Departments like FDA, Legal Metrology, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, State Tax, Tourism, Excise, DHS, Transport among others to prepare an Action Plan by December 24, the National Consumer Rights Day so as to protect consumers from malpractices in South Goa.
Martins said they have also resolved to take up with the South Collector as Chairman of the District Consumer Protection Council, the issue of setting up a Flying Squad to tackle consumer grievances in South Goa and keep it operational on Saturdays and Sundays.
