Gyalshing, 24th December, 2019 (IPR): The observance of National Consumer Day cum Awareness Programme on Consumer Protection Act was held at Community Hall, Gyalshing, West Sikkim organised by the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Government of Sikkim, Gyalshing, West District in coordination with the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), Gyalshing, West Sikkim.
The programme was attended by the Civil Judge cum Judicial Magistrate and Secretary District Legal Services Authority Ms. Zamyang Choden Bhutia; Advocate Shri Pujan Kharka; DCSO Shri Arjun Rai and Officials from District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum Gyalshing.

The National Consumer Day is observed every year in India on December 24. On this day the Consumer Protection Act received the then President’s approval in 1986. The main objective of the Consumer Protection Act is to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, unsatisfactory services and unfair trade practices.

Madam Bhutia spoke about the free legal aid services that are provided by Sikkim State Legal Services Authority under the agies of National Legal Services Authority. She also informed the gathering about the modes of Alternative Disputes Resolution. Information was also disseminated about the provisions of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Advocate Shri Pujan Kharka addressed the gathering on the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

Lastly, the programme was concluded by DCSO Shri Arjun Rai who sensitised the gathering on the rights of the consumers and the duties of the consumers as well as the shopkeepers/ service providers with the help of various example.