Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today said that the government is embarking upon an effective consumer friendly movement which envisages empowerment of consumers fraternity at all levels.The Minister was speaking during a function held at Engineers Institute Channi Himmat as part of the Consumer Awareness week being celebrated in the state w.e.f 21st to October27.Today’s celebration was focused on the topic ‘Role of Industry in Consumer Protection and Rights of Consumer’.Zulfkar, while addressing the gathering representing all the stake holders including consumers, industry representatives, monitoring and regulatory agencies, departmental representatives, said that we all have a common agenda of protecting and safeguarding the interests of the consumers which needs to be pursued collectively.‘Everybody is a consumer in this world. People’s ability to consume, the consumption choices they have available to them and whether they are treated fairly as consumers, fundamentally affects the quality of their lives and the lives of those around them', the Minister asserted.
The Minister said that no industry, that violates the rights of a consumer or treats them unfairly, can grow or sustain in the long run. He further said that ‘We need to recognize and understand the contribution that consumer protection and empowerment could make to sustainable development of the society as whole’.‘Making laws alone cannot make a difference but the voluntary action on part of our industries and traders can bring a sustainable development in the society.Talking about the need of strict adherence to consumer protection laws, Zulfkar said that consumer protection should apply to all, regardless of their income or status. It ensures that people everywhere are treated fairly and with dignity in the marketplace, and have access to safe and healthy products, and services, he added.He said that growing economies require active and informed consumers that can make their voices heard and hold producers to account. The realisation of consumer rights contributes directly to the openness and accountability of institutions making them accessible and responsive to the largest group in the economy, he added.
The Minister also congratulated local traders and industry for the measures taken by them for transparency in their dealing with the consumers especially in the context of the ensuing diwali celebrations.The minister said that to further safeguard the consumers, the government is working towards increasing the list of things presently under the ambit of BIS that require mandatory certification.Zulfkar said that government is working towards bringing a revised consumer protection act which will address various consumer issues like disparity in prices for various services especially medical besides keeping a strict check on misleading advertisements among other measures.Responding to the demand of the industry regarding establishment of a BIS lab in the state, he assured that the matter would be taken up with the concerned department.During the function, information sessions were held by various concerned regarding the dos and don’ts that need to be kept in mind while making food, medicine purchases. The gathering was also made aware about the BIS and ISO standards, their importance and how to check for the authentication marks on the products.
Besides, people were apprised of various quality and quantity checks a consumer can perform and demand at petrol pumps while fuelling their vehicles.The representatives from Consumer protection agencies brought to the notice of the industry and the department various points of concern, short comings violating the consumer rights that need to be addressed. Among others, Director FCS&CA GS Chib, Head BIS Jammu Praveen Khanna, Joint Controller LMD Jammu V S Sambyal, Joint Director FCS&CA Jammu Mansoor Ahmed Choudhary, Deputy Director LMD Manoj Prabhakar, senior officers, representatives from various organisations like Consumer Welfare Association, Consumer Protection Organisation, Chamber Of Commerce, Bari Brahmana Industrial Association, Federation Of Industries Jammu, All India Roller Flour Association, LPG Dealers Association, Petroleum Dealers Association, Chambers of Trade Federation, Dry Fruits Association, Nursing Home Association, Raghunath Bazar Association, Brick Kiln Association, Electrical Dealers Association, prominent citizens and consumers were present on the occasion.