Minister for CA&PD Ch Zulfkar Ali today said that the government mulls to give more teeth to the Consumer Protection Act to make it more effective to safeguard consumer interest.The Minister was speaking at a function organized by Consumer Affairs &Public Distribution (CA&PD) and Legal Metrology Department (LMD) at Jammu club here today. Legislators Sat Sharma and Rajesh Gupta were also present on the occasion. Ch Zulfkar said that this move is aimed at strengthening the prompt grievances redressal mechanism and transparent delivery of public services to the people within specific time frame,. Speaking at length on the current year’s theme “Safe &Healthy Food Combating Adulteration”, the Minister said that adulteration of essentials and drug piracy is a heinous crime which needs to be curbed and uprooted from the grass root level .
“Consumer should be aware about their rights and collective and concerted efforts are needed from all from all stakeholders to check such unethical trade practices”, Stressed the Minister adding that in order to supplement government efforts various organizations should also shoulder the responsibility to check adulteration in essential commodities .The Minister said that efforts are also being made to establish consumer grievances redressal cells at tehsil level especially in rural areas to sensitize consumers about their rights and responsibilities. He said holding of awareness camps by involvement of locals would be prioritized besides print and electronic media would also be asked to chip in to make people aware about the cause.
Referring to significance of Hoarding and Profiteering Act in keeping a close check on prices, the Minister said that all out efforts would be made to further strengthen this act so that people could get quality products at reasonable rates.Spelling out several measures taken by government for streamlining functioning of CA&PD and LMD, the Minister said replacement to conventional Kanda system by Electronic weighing machine, Display of Sign Boards depicting scale and price in all Fair Price Shops , establishment of advanced laboratories in both the provinces for improving accuracy in measurements and formulation of SCPC are among other initiatives taken to improve functioning of the departments .Director CA&PD G.S Chib, Joint Controller LMD Amar Singh, Deputy Controller LMD Manoj Parbakhar and Tanveer Hussain besides senior functionaries of line department were present on the occasion.