Date: 17.03.2026 at 11:00 AM
Venue: Dawrpui Multipurpose Centre, Aizawl
Theme: ‘Safe Products, Confident Consumers’
Chief Guest: Pu B. Lalchhanzova, Hon’ble Minister, FCS&CA Department
Introduction
World Consumer Rights Day is observed globally every year on 15th March with the objective of promoting and safeguarding the fundamental rights of consumers and ensuring that such rights are duly respected and protected by all stakeholders. However, in Mizoram, the observance for the year 2026 was held on 17th March 2026 instead of the designated date, as the 15th of March fell on a Sunday. Additionally, the State Legislative Assembly session was in progress until 16th March 2026, which necessitated the rescheduling of the programme to ensure the availability and participation of key officials and stakeholders.
The observance of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 was conducted by FCS&CA Department, Government of Mizoram, not only in Aizawl but also simultaneously across all district headquarters of Mizoram, thereby ensuring wider outreach and participation. This decentralized approach helped in disseminating awareness at the grassroots level and enabled greater public engagement on issues related to consumer protection.
The programme was organized around the global theme “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, which underscores the importance of ensuring the availability of safe, reliable, and quality products in the market. The theme also highlights the need for transparency in trade practices and aims to build consumer confidence through increased awareness, effective enforcement of consumer protection laws, and active participation of consumers in safeguarding their own rights.
Objectives of the Programme
The programme was organized with the following objectives:
- To spread awareness about consumer rights as enshrined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- To educate the public on identifying unsafe and defective products
- To promote responsible consumption and informed decision-making
- To encourage consumers to seek redressal through appropriate forums
- To strengthen collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and educational institutions
- To highlight the role of consumer organizations in safeguarding public interest
Dignitaries and Participants
The programme was graced by:
- Chief Guest: B. Lalchhanzova, Hon’ble Minister, FCS&CA Department
Other participants included:
- Secretary, FCS&CA Department, Gov’t of Mizoram.
- Director, FCS&CA Department, Gov’t of Mizoram
- Senior officers from FCS&CA Department
- Representatives from consumer organizations
- Faculty members and students from educational institutions
- Members of civil society and the general public
The event witnessed an estimated participation of 350 - 400 attendees, reflecting strong public interest and engagement.
Programme Proceedings
The programme began with registration at 10:30 AM, followed by the formal function at 11:00 AM.
Master of Ceremony
The event was smoothly conducted by Miss Arami Chawngthu, a renowned compere from Mizoram, who served as the Master of Ceremony (MC) and ensured effective coordination of all programme segments.
Welcome Address
The Welcome Address was delivered by Pi Teresy Vanlalhruaii, Secretary, FCS&CA Department. In her address, she warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, dignitaries, invited guests, and all participants present at the programme. She emphasized the growing importance of consumer awareness in today’s complex and rapidly evolving market environment, where consumers are often exposed to a wide range of products and services with varying standards of quality and safety.
She also briefly highlighted the history and significance of World Consumer Rights Day, noting its global observance as a means to promote and protect consumer rights. Further, she elaborated on the importance of the theme for the year, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, stressing that ensuring product safety and quality is essential for building consumer trust and confidence. She encouraged all stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive in promoting consumer welfare and safeguarding the interests of consumers.
Theme Presentation
A PowerPoint presentation on the theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 was delivered by Prof. Laldinliana Varte, Professor, Mizoram University (MZU), Member of the State Consumer Protection Council, and Subject Matter Expert, Mizoram Direct Selling Monitoring Authority. The presentation provided valuable insights into the significance of the year’s theme, “Safe Products, Confident Consumers”, and highlighted key aspects related to consumer safety and empowerment.
The presentation, based on the prepared PPT, elaborated on the concept of a confident consumer, describing such consumers as individuals who feel safe, well-informed, and empowered while purchasing and using goods and services. It emphasized that consumer confidence is built through factors such as product safety, quality assurance, availability of clear and honest information, transparency from companies, effective consumer protection mechanisms, and accessible complaint redressal systems.
Further, the presentation explained the concept of a product as anything offered in the market to satisfy consumer needs, including both tangible goods and intangible services. It highlighted essential characteristics such as need satisfaction, value creation, exchange value, and the combination of goods and services.
A significant portion of the presentation focused on unsafe products, identifying them as goods that pose risks to consumer health, safety, or financial well-being due to poor quality, defects, contamination, or misleading information. Various examples were discussed, including adulterated food items, counterfeit medicines, defective electrical appliances, substandard toys, misleading cosmetic products, and counterfeit branded goods.
The presentation also made reference to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, emphasizing its role in safeguarding consumers against hazardous products and ensuring accountability of manufacturers and sellers. Overall, the session was highly informative and enhanced the understanding of participants regarding product safety, consumer rights, and the importance of informed decision-making in today’s marketplace.
Cultural Performances
The programme included engaging solo performances by:
- Lalsangliana, Youth Icon 2024
- Jaui, Famous Singer from Zarkawt, Aizawl
These performances added cultural value and kept the audience engaged throughout the programme.
Presentation of Achievement Reports / Action Taken Reports (ATR)
Achievement Reports/Action Taken Reports (ATR) were presented by the following organizations, highlighting the utilization of funds received from the Mizoram State Consumer Welfare (Corpus) Fund:
Mizoram Consumers Union (MCU) Hqtrs, Aizawl:
The achievement report presented by Pu H. Lalbiakpuia, General Secretary of the Mizoram Consumers’ Union (MCU), highlights the successful implementation of a Consumer Awareness Project across Mizoram under the aegis of MCU Headquarters, Aizawl, with a sanctioned amount of ₹10.40 lakh, out of which ₹7.80 lakh has already been released for activities covering 10 districts (excluding Serchhip).
The project effectively conducted around 29 Consumer Awareness Programmes (CAPs) in urban, rural, and educational (club) settings, including four major programmes in Aizawl district, reaching a substantial number of participants and focusing on key issues such as the Consumer Protection Act, LPG home delivery, ration system, e-commerce, public transport rates, PMUY, and weights and measures, while ensuring proper documentation and transparency through attendance records, photographs, video evidence, and expenditure reports, thereby significantly enhancing consumer awareness, promoting informed consumer behavior, and strengthening grassroots-level consumer education across the state.
- Centre for Consumer Education:
The report presented by Pu Lallunghnema, Chairman of the Centre for Consumer Education, highlighted that the organization effectively utilized the allocated funds to carry out three core activities—awareness, education, and prevention—aimed at strengthening consumer protection mechanisms. Through these initiatives, the Centre focused on disseminating information on consumer rights and responsibilities, educating the public on fair trade practices, and promoting preventive measures to safeguard consumers from exploitation and unfair market practices.
He further stated that the Centre actively conducted consumer outreach programmes across various localities in Aizawl, ensuring wider public engagement and participation. In addition, the report emphasized that the Centre, on several occasions, collaborated with local police authorities and the Legal Metrology Wing of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, thereby enhancing enforcement efforts and reinforcing the effectiveness of consumer protection activities through coordinated action.
- Consumers’ Club, Government Mizoram Law College:
The achievement report presented by Dr. Maria Lalrinmawii, Coordinator of the Consumer Club, Government Mizoram Law College (GMLC), highlighted the implementation of a research-based project under the Consumer Welfare Fund during 2025–2026 in Aizawl District, with a total approved cost of ₹1,75,500, out of which the first installment was received and utilized for initiating the study. The report emphasized that the project was undertaken due to the lack of comprehensive research on the effectiveness of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the functioning of the Consumer Dispute Redressal Mechanism in Aizawl, leading to the formulation of a research study titled “An Analytical Study of the Functioning of Consumer Dispute Redressal Mechanism and Consumer Awareness in Aizawl District, Mizoram,” supported by a dedicated research team comprising faculty members, students, and other stakeholders.
The presentation further highlighted that the study involved both case analysis and empirical research, including the collection of data from District and State Commissions for the period 2021–2025, as well as the distribution of 160 questionnaires among the public to assess consumer awareness levels. Important documents were obtained from the FCS&CA Department and relevant authorities, and preliminary findings were being compiled, with plans to finalize the report and organize a state-level seminar for dissemination of results. Despite certain limitations such as time constraints and financial considerations, the project has made significant progress and is expected to contribute valuable insights for strengthening consumer awareness and improving the consumer dispute redressal system in the state.
Short Speech
A short speech was delivered by Pu Thanglura, President, Mizoram Consumers Union, wherein key issues and concerns relating to consumer protection were highlighted. The speaker emphasized the various challenges faced by consumers at the grassroots level, particularly in remote and rural areas, including lack of awareness, limited access to grievance redressal mechanisms, and the prevalence of unfair trade practices.
The speech further stressed the need for stronger and more effective enforcement of consumer protection laws to ensure that the rights of consumers are adequately safeguarded. In this context, the speaker briefly traced the evolution of consumer protection frameworks, making reference to the guidelines and principles adopted by the United Nations, including the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (1985), which were developed following earlier international initiatives in the early 1980s.
The speaker also highlighted the pioneering role of organizations such as the Consumer Guidance Society of India (formerly known as Consumer Guidance Society, Bombay), which has played a significant role in promoting consumer awareness and advocacy in India.
The speech concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for consumer empowerment, encouraging individuals to be aware of their rights, remain vigilant in the marketplace, and actively participate in the consumer protection system to ensure accountability, transparency, and fairness.
Speech by Chief Guest
The Chief Guest, Pu B. Lalchhanzova, Hon’ble Minister, FCS&CA Department, delivered an insightful and thought-provoking address highlighting various aspects of consumer protection and the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
In his speech, he emphasized the importance of ongoing government initiatives for consumer protection, including strengthening regulatory mechanisms and ensuring effective implementation of consumer laws. He underlined the need for strict monitoring of essential commodities to safeguard consumers from unfair pricing, hoarding, and substandard goods.
The Hon’ble Minister also stressed the need for increased awareness in rural and remote areas, where consumers often face challenges due to limited access to information and redressal mechanisms. He highlighted the role of citizens in reporting unfair trade practices, encouraging individuals to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their rights.
Beyond policy and enforcement, he delivered a strong moral message, stating that efforts to serve consumers should come from a genuine and sincere intention of the heart, rather than being driven by personal gain or financial motives. He remarked that when actions are guided by honesty and integrity, success and recognition will naturally follow.
He further emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that the Government must work closely with Voluntary Consumer Organisations (VCOs), NGOs, students, and civil society groups to ensure effective and widespread consumer awareness initiatives.
Highlighting the social responsibility of individuals, he noted that it is the duty of every citizen to support fellow consumers and share knowledge, thereby strengthening the overall consumer protection ecosystem. He also urged stakeholders to regularly reflect on whether their services are reaching the most needy and marginalized sections of society, and to make necessary efforts to bridge any gaps.
The Hon’ble Minister encouraged all involved in consumer protection activities to act with courage and integrity, stating that in the pursuit of justice and fairness, one should not hesitate to take firm action against wrongdoers, even if such actions may invite criticism or opposition.
In his concluding remarks, he urged all attendees to strive to become better individuals by actively promoting consumer awareness at the grassroots level and extending support to the most vulnerable consumers. He called upon everyone present to work collectively and wholeheartedly towards safeguarding consumer interests and building a more informed and empowered society.
Vote of Thanks
The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Pi Saizikpuii, Director, FCS&CA Department, who expressed her sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, invited guests, participants, and all stakeholders for their valuable presence and contributions in making the programme a success.
She extended special appreciation to the organizers, resource persons, and supporting staff for their dedicated efforts in the smooth conduct of the event. She also acknowledged the active participation of consumer organizations, institutions, and members of the public, which greatly contributed to the effectiveness of the programme.
In her concluding remarks, she conveyed her best wishes to everyone on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2026 and expressed her appreciation in advance for their continued support and cooperation in future consumer awareness initiatives. She encouraged all stakeholders to remain actively engaged in promoting consumer rights and welfare across the state.
Refreshment
Well-arranged refreshments were served to all attendees at the conclusion of the formal programme. The refreshments were both substantial and of high quality, which was well appreciated by the participants.
The refreshment session also provided an opportunity for informal interaction and networking among the dignitaries, officials, representatives of various organizations, and members of the public. It created a relaxed environment for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders involved in consumer protection and awareness activities.
The arrangement contributed positively to the overall success of the programme by enhancing participant satisfaction and encouraging meaningful engagement beyond the formal proceedings.
