Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar today inaugurated laboratory-cum-office complex of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) at Transport Nagar Narwal constructed at a cost of Rs 1.47 crore by J&K Housing Board.Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that the newly constructed office complex-cum laboratory has been equipped with latest and hi-tech weighing and measuring instruments, calibration facility of essential commodities, mobile devices, medical equipment, Karat Meter for testing purity of gold ornaments etc.The Minister said it is a major achievement towards improvement and streamlining the functioning of the department. He said with the establishment of the state-of-the-art laboratory, the Department would be able to deliver services more professionally and effectively to protect consumers against unfair trade practices.The Minister underscored the need for support of society and trade fraternity to identify the black sheep in the market to help the department act as a good facilitator. He stressed for effective monitoring and strict enforcement of various laws and acts of the department aimed at safeguarding the interests and rights of consumers besides ensuring transparency in the functioning.The Minister also informed that 80 percent metering has been done in auto-rickshaws as per the directions issued earlier. He said that more initiatives are being taken to ensure accountability in providing better public utilities.
Later, Zulfkar also released souvenirs on Consumers Awareness and J&K State Consumers Rights Day.Divisional Commissioner Jammu while speaking on the occasion said that the Legal Metrology and CA&PD Departments are directly connected with the people and it is the prime duty of these departments to provide enhanced services to the people. He sought people’s active participation in effective implementation of laws and acts of the department meant for their own welfare and security Secretary CAPD also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the activities of the department.The Minister also honored officers and prominent citizens for their contribution towards betterment of the society.Member Legislative Council, Surinder Chowdhary, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IGP Traffic, J.P. Singh, Secretary CAPD, Sourabh Bhagat, MD J&K Housing Board, Shafiq Raina, Director CAPD, G S Chib, Joint Controller Legal Metrology, Amar Singh, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology, Manoj Prabhakar, SSP Crime, Mubassir Latifi, SSP Vigilance Sameer Rekhi, President Chamber and Commerce Rakesh Gupta besides prominent citizens were also present on the occasion.