--------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help other CONSUMERS to be better informed. --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN joins consumers worldwide to fight against corruption --------------------------------------------------------------- The Consumer’s struggle for good quality goods & services in the market place is an important part of the larger battle against corruption being fought worldwide, was the message given out at the GOACAN Awareness Action held in Margao.
The Awareness Action was held as part of its ongoing Consumer Rights Awareness Fortnight by GOACAN on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day 9th December which has been promoted worldwide by the United Nations. Today’s action which had the participation of volunteers of Consumer Forums highlighted the importance for supporting the ongoing world wide fight against corruption by consumers in their daily lives. During the Awareness Action consumers were reminded that on a daily basis they use goods and services provided by the Goa Govt. controlled Departments and Corporations covering a range of services like water supply, electricity, kerosene, rations, milk, bus transport, ferry boats, pay toilets, pay parking, roads etc. While many consumers grumble about the poor quality of service and about being over charged, few consumers actually file complaints to make a change in the system so as to improve service delivery and put a stop to being short changed. The fight for better services by consumers is in actual fact a fight against corruption which is the primary cause of the problems faced by them. Similarly consumers were reminded of the goods & services used daily by them which are provided by the Central Govt. Departments & Corporations, Public Sector Companies and those owned by other State Govts. Consumers in Goa use LPG cylinders, telephones, postal services, banks, railways, airports etc where sub standard materials are used and part of the money is being siphoned off to pay bribes to various officials. Consumers were informed that goods and services are provided based on Tenders issued to Contractors by these Govt. Depts. and Corporations and involve corrupt practices that eventually affect the Consumer’s Right to good quality products and services. This awareness activity is being undertaken also by keeping in mind that the months of December-January being peak tourism season, has an impact on the quality of services, availability of products and functioning of the supervisory, vigilance and redressal mechanisms for consumers in Goa. Tourists in Goa are also on the receiving end of poor quality goods & services being provided and at most times they do not file complaints with the concerned agencies due to which the corrupt practices being followed carry on unabated. Volunteers distributed information slips to consumers with Telephone numbers of the Goa Govt.’s Vigilance Department which can be contacted on 2422111, the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) at Altinho, Panjim on 2232733 and the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch at Bambolim on 2459971 / 2459972. Meanwhile GOACAN will carry forward its Anti-Corruption Awareness Actions as a special focus in 2011 as part of its Consumer Literacy Campaign activity. ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mail: *goa...@gmail.com* Visit: *http://goacan.blogspot.com *----------------------------------------------------------