Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa Women’s Forum (GWF) has submitted a letter to Minister for Cooperation and Consumer Affairs Govind Gaude highlighting the need to focus on women consumer and financial literacy awareness programmes. The letter was submitted to the minister during the inauguration of the Fatorda Branch of the Sattari Urban Co-Operative Credit Society Ltd where he was the chief guest.
In the letter, GWF pointed out that it has been receiving many consumer complaints from women with regards co-operative societies not returning their matured fixed deposits as they do not have sufficient funds to pay the same. Besides these complaints, there are also complaints about agents who collect daily amounts but do not deposit the same as required.
GWF particularly pointed out the most recent case of matured fixed deposits not being returned by Visionaries Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd.
GWF has highlighted the need for a district level officer under Registrar of Co-operative Societies to deal with consumer complaints in North and South Goa.
on a fortnightly basis on a fixed day, time and venue.
GWF has also focused on the need for district level and taluka level financial literacy awareness programmes for women to take preventive action so that they do not get cheated by false offers and get misguided by elements who wish to take advantage of their ignorance.
GWF has emphasised that such proactive steps will definitely get the support of the elected women representatives in panchayats and municipalities, self help groups, mahila mandals and consumer forums.
Moreover, GWF has pointed out that if the Registrar of Co-operative societies with the assistance of the Department of Consumer Affairs acts in a time bound manner, the Co-operative sector will grow in leaps & bounds with the positive participation of women.
