Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Choudhary Zulfkar Ali on Tuesday said that the Government is working under a well knit mechanism to safeguard the interests of consumers.The Minister said this while reviewing the progress of the drafts of the three consumer related bills that Government is intending to table in the present Budget session.Speaking during the meeting, the Minister said the person holding a responsible position has to ensure that instead of looking for fulfilling the interests of a particular individual, he should see things in totality. He said person at the helm of affairs is responsible to ensure that the rights of general public, especially consumers in particular are safeguarded.The Minister said if any legislation would serve and help consumers in a better way, it should be implemented at an earliest and in letter and spirit. Giving an example, he said sometimes my decision could also affect my own business, but that should not act as a deterrent to take a step which would help in the overall benefit of the consumers and development of the State.The Minister said that Government has initiated a series of steps to strengthen consumer protection mechanism in the State, and establishing and strengthening of State and District Consumer Forms is step towards it.
Emphasizing the need to make the forums more effective, Zulfkar said every possible step including bringing consumer friendly legislations should be taken to make these forums more effective. He said the aim to bring new comprehensive legislations is to address various issues including timely delivery of justice and emphasis has been made to ensure simplicity, speed, access and affordability of basic services to consumers of the state.Besides, the Minister also instructed that Presidents of District Consumer Forms (DSF) should immediately submit panel for nominated members of these forums. He also asked to make the State Commission functional at an earliest by appointing a new President for it.The Minister instructed for early release of perks to the newly nominated members of the forums.Secretary, FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, Director FCS&CA, Jammu G S Chib, Special Secretary, FCS&CA, Nissar Ahmad, Joint Controller, Jammu, Legal Metrology Department(LMD), V S Sambyal, Joint Controller, Kashmir Legal Metrology Department, Amar Singh, Deputy Controller Manoj Prabakhar, and other concerned officers attended the meeting.