Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali laid foundation of working standard Laboratory complex with an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh here today.The project is a part of the initiative of Central Assistance Scheme for strengthening Legal Metrology system in the states and union territories.Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, the Minister highlighted the crucial role of Legal Metrology department in enforcing and maintaining uniformity and accuracy in the weight and measuring instruments used by the traders in the state. He added that far reaching reforms have been initiated by the Government to strengthen the department and enable it to perform its role more effectively. The Minister further said that the role of Legal Metrology Department is very significant in day-to- day life and every one of us starts and ends his or her day under the influence of Legal Metrology but unfortunately this department had remained under the shadow of Food Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs. “This is the main reason black marketers and consumer exploitation was very common in the past. Now the government is committed to create such an environment where every consumer or citizen should get his due right irrespective of his region, religion or political affiliations,” he said.
He further said that he had already issued instructions to the department to enforce consumer protection laws strictly in far flung areas and create awareness programmes among the public.He also asked the officers to check misleading advertisements in media and initiate action against the advertisers.
Mr Zulfkar also said that creating new requisite infrastructure is the need of the hour for the proper and effective functioning of the department and present government is focused to provide better infrastructure facilities to far-flung areas.He further said that working laboratory shall be equipped with latest mode of technology to check the purity of goods and shall provide facilities to traders of this district to get their instrument calibrated at their door step.MLA Shah Mohammad Tantray, MLC Yashpul Sharma, DDC Poonch Mohammad Haroon Malik, SP Poonch Rajiv Panday, Deputy Director Legal Metrology Mr. Manoj Prabhakar, Assistant Controller Jammu , Assistant Controller Poonch were also present on the occasion.Earlier, the Minister addressed a public meeting at Dak Bungalow, Poonch where general public led by MLA Haveli Shah Mohammad Tantray, MLC Yashpal Sharma raised certain issues pertaining to FCS & CA department beside others development related issues.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said that the government led by CM Mehbooba Mufti has accorded focused attention to the development of rural and border areas of the state and several flagships schemes have been launched to improve the socio-economic profile of the people of Poonch district.While responding to the queries, the Minister said that the Government is working with missionary vision for transforming the development scenario of the state and focus is on expediting development, ensuring good governance and providing corruption free administration.He added that one lakh BPL ration card holders have been added to earlier figure of 1.70 lakh by the efforts of department in the district and ration cards are being linked to Aadhar for complete digitalization of system so as to streamline the Public distribution system in the state.He further added that technology is empowering tool for citizens and medium of ensuring accountability therefore we should adapt ourselves to latest technology as a part of initiative of government to promote fair system.“Installation of finger print machines in all food stores is a major step to bring transparency in PDS, “the Minister added.