“Telecommunication & Cable Services: What You Ought To Know!” - A Calangute Free Legal Aid Cell Campaign

The Calangute Legal Aid Cell of the V M Salgaocar College of Law organised a legal awareness program titled “Telecommunication & Cable Services: What You Ought To Know!”, on  13th of February 2016 at the Calangute Panchayat Hall. Mr. Roland Martins, co-ordinator of GOACAN was the resource person for the program.

Mr. Martins spoke about the main rights that a consumer has, under the Consumer Protection Act, specifically with regard to telephone operators, mobile service providers, and TV content providers; be they local cable operators, or the large companies who provide digitalised content. His discourse on this subject was startlingly accessible to the audience, despite the fact the subject is technical in nature. His presentation was filled with practical examples of the simplest rights which consumers have, and how to exercise these rights. For instance, his explanation of the extent to which telephone operators such as BSNL have failed to provide services which they are contractually obligated to provide (they are even supposed to lay out the wiring to your telephone), and the quantum of the refunds which consumers are entitled to - but alas, never claim, were met by appreciation by the audience. He explained the most common methods by which consumers are duped by cold calls, and scams and how a responsible consumer ought to protect himself from such calls, and much more.  

In attendance at the program were residents - young and old - of Calangute and the surrounding areas. Professor Aamod Shirali of the V M Salgaocar College of Law, the Professor in charge of the Calangute Legal Aid Cell was also present. Pamphlets on Consumer Protection and details of whom to lodge complaints with were distributed to every audience member. The program ended with the distribution of refreshments to the audience, and a vote of thanks by a member of the Legal Aid Cell.