Karwar

The first meeting of the Uttara Kannada District Consumer Protection Council was held at the meeting hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Karwar. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla chaired the meeting.

The meeting was organised to familiarise the newly constituted council members with its objectives, responsibilities and functions. Detailed discussions were held on consumer rights and duties, consumer awareness programmes and measures required to protect consumers from unfair practices.

Officials stressed the importance of creating greater awareness among people about their rights as consumers. Members were urged to actively participate in awareness programmes and help citizens understand the procedures available for resolving consumer-related complaints. The council also discussed the need to ensure that consumers receive proper information about the quality, quantity, price and safety of goods and services.

The meeting emphasised the importance of coordination among various government departments and agencies in protecting consumer interests. Officials and council members discussed ways to strengthen consumer awareness activities across the district, particularly among people who may not be fully aware of available grievance-redressal mechanisms.

The participants also highlighted the need to encourage consumers to raise complaints whenever they face problems relating to goods or services. Awareness programmes can help people understand where and how to approach the appropriate authorities when their consumer rights are violated.

Deputy Director of the Consumer Affairs Department Manjunath Revanakar, Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Prakash Halamanavar, District Social Welfare Officer Umesh and Assistant Registrar and Assistant Administrative Officer of the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Manjunatheshwar Ganapati Goli attended the meeting.

Lokesh Lakshminarayana Hegde, Bhandival, G.G. Hegde KadeKone and other officials and council members were also present.

The council members were encouraged to work collectively to improve consumer awareness and ensure that grievances are addressed effectively. The meeting also underlined the importance of strengthening the consumer protection system at the district level through regular awareness drives, better coordination among departments and timely response to complaints.

The council is expected to play an important role in promoting consumer awareness and safeguarding the rights of people across Uttara Kannada district.

Boost consumer rights awareness

Officials stressed inter-departmental coordination to strengthen consumer protection, enhance grievance-redressal awareness, and encourage residents to report faulty goods or services. Key leaders, including Deputy Director Manjunath Revanakar, urged council members to drive community education, streamline departmental responses, and ensure timely resolution of complaints.