Minister for CAPD and Tribal Affairs Ch. Zulfkar Ali today said that legislations and provision of penalties alone cannot guarantee consumer rights but sincere and continuous efforts of all the stakeholders are needed to eradicate the menace of unfair trade practices.Speaking at the one day awareness programme organized by Department of Legal Metrology, Kathua here at Government College for Women, the Minister said that extensive campaigns against unfair trade practices including adulteration are needed at all levels including surprise visits by enforcing agencies.The Minister said that government is strengthening the Consumer forum at the district level to make it easily accessible adding that government will leave no stone unturned to safeguard consumers right. He appealed people to voice their concern and report any infringement of their rights at the appropriate forum as per provisions of law.
Earlier students drawn from different institutions threw light on the topic “Consumer Rights, Duties and role of Legal Metrology Department”. The students from Gujjar and Bakkerwal Hostel Kathua presented theme based skit on “Jago Grahak Jago”.Director CAPD G.S Chib, Joint Controller Legal Metrology Amar Singh, Deputy Controller Consumer Protection Tanvir Ahmed, Deputy Controller Enforcement Manoj Parbhakar, Principal Government Women College Dr Satinder Singh were present on the occasion.Elsewhere, the Minister inaugurated the newly installed Internet Protocol (IP) camera at main CAPD ration store in Kathua. He said facility has been installed to ensure proper and transparent delivery of services.Meanwhile, the Minister also took stock of the implementation of National Food Security Act under which process registration of consumers is in full swing across the state. The Minister asked Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Kumar to ensure that every family is covered in the registration process.
Later, the Minister also participated in a function organized by Gujjar and Bakkerwal Conference at town hall complex of the Kathua town.MLC Vikramditya Singh, MLA Hirangar Kuldeep Raj, President Gujjar & Bakkerwal Conference Haji Mohammed Yusuf and others were present on the occassion.The members of Gujjar & Bakkerwal community apprised the Minister about their demands and submitted a charter of demands for the consideration of the Government.The demands chiefly projected by the community members included rehabilitation, provision of additional mobile schools, availability of Urdu teachers, community hall, strengthening of bed strength of Gujjar & Bakkerwal hostel and other problem related to ration card and PRC. The demand of road connectivity, electricity and drinking water for Gujjar and Bakkerwal Bastis were also raised by different members.
Zulfkar on the occasion highlighted the various initiatives taken by the Government for the welfare of the tribal communities. He said new dispensation also created a dedicated and separate Ministry to ensure focused attention on addressing the socio-economic concern of the tribal communities including Gujjars and Bakkerwals.The Minister on the occasion announced Rs 1 Crore for taking up development projects to be identified by Deputy Commissioner for Gujjar & Bakkerwal bastis.The Minister also informed that under NFSA nomads shall be receiving highly subsidized ration at Rs 2 per kg Ata and Rs 3 per Kg Rice.The Minister also visited Gujjar Basti at Sapralpai in tehsil Hiranagar MLA Hiranagar Kuldeep Raj also accompanied the Minister. On the occasion representatives of Gujjar and Bakkerwal community put forth various demands for consideration of the Minister including provision of mobile school, Urdu teacher, electricity and road connectivity.Minister along with MLA assured that blacktopping work on the roads shall be completed at the earliest. He also assured necessary infrastructure for providing regular electricity to the Gujjar Bastis shall be taken on priority besides a 65 KVA transformer shall be installed.Later, Ch. Zulfkar Ali also inaugurated another Internet Protocol (IP) camera facility at main Food & Supply store in Samba.