Mysuru: District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission presdient AK Naveen Kumari on Wednesday asked consumers to be aware of consumer rights, responsibilities, as well as buy ISI-quality goods, service, including gold and other products.Awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities is a must for consumers to avoid unfair trade practices.She was speaking after inaugurating the World Consumers Day event jointly organised by the district administration, department of food, civil supplies and consumers affairs, district consumer disputes redressal commission, district legal services authority, and Sarada Vilas educational institutions at its campus in the city.She also asked the consumers to check the date of packing before buying their products, besides not buying outdated, expired goods in shops. People should collect the receipt after making payment and keep it themselves.If consumers are cheated, they can approach the commission with written and online complaints. World Consumers Day has been observed from 1986 to spread awareness. Consumers can seek compensation if they are cheated by unfair trade practices under Consumer Rights Protection Act 2000. The Act was amended in 2019, giving the DC powers to seize substandard goods and services besides penalising the guilty.She said people can file complaints related to substandard goods. If banks and lending agencies have collected exorbitant interest rates for loans, people cheated by medical negligence, fake medicines, insurance firms, and other services can seek justice.District consumer disputes redressal commission member MK Lalitha said people above 18 years of age, can file complaints with the commission.District legal services authority member secretary and senior district civil judge KK Amarnath said that people can also file complaints online if they are cheated by unfair trade practices along with documents, proofs, samples, payment receipts bearing GST number, and other details.Joint director of food and civil supplies Manteswamy, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions secretary Dinesh, and principal M Devika were present.
