Minister for Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today exhorted upon the officers of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) for streamlining the functioning of the department besides ensuring effective monitoring of enforcement of various laws and Acts of the department aimed at protection of consumer rights.This was said by the Minister while reviewing the functioning of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) here today.The Minister took a detailed district-wise review of the physical and financial achievements recorded by the department in Jammu province during the current financial year.Addressing the meeting, the Minister stressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts for improving the functioning of the department to increase revenue realization.
He said possibilities would be explored to make the enforcement mechanism of the department more effective by reviewing the penalization for different violations.Zulfkar further asked the officers for intensive market checking to prevent unfair trade practices and directed the officers to organize camps for creating awareness among masses regarding their rights.
Seeking details regarding the functioning of the grievance cell of the department, the Minister was informed that cell is working properly and large number of grievances are received and redressed accordingly.The Minister directed the officers for prompt response to the grievances and making the cell more effective and consumer-friendly.Zulfkar Ali directed the officers to conduct periodical verification and stamping of meters in auto-rickshaws, taxis as well as check the weights and measures used in commercial and industrial establishments.
He also called for surprise inspection of petrol pumps to detect any violation of the provisions of the Legal Metrology Laws and directed the concerned for monitoring Lab Vans of Oil Companies used for lifting Motor Spirit (MS) and High Speed Diesel (HSD) samples for quality check.The Minister said there is need of standard laboratory equipments in different units of Legal Metrology Department and directed the officers to ensure that the consumers get quality products. He also took stock of arrangement and preparation being made by the department in connections with the celebration of World Consumers Day on December 24.The meeting was attended by Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Special Secretary FCS&CA Nisar Ahmad Wani, Joint Controller Legal Meteorology Department V S Sambyal, Assistant Controllers from all districts and other officers of the department.