Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, today launched E-PDS scheme for online allocation of ration in four districts of Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi taking the total number of districts where such facility has been introduced to five. The facility is already in vogue in Samba district where it was launched on pilot basis.
While dedicating the e- distribution mechanism to the people, the Minister said that it is a step forward towards e-governance which is aimed at to eradicate corruption and enforce transparency in the crucial Public Distribution System (PDS). “This will help to further enforce accountability and fix responsibility for the subsequent processes of procurement and distribution of ration”, he added.Earlier, the Minister attended a function organised at Shree Ranbir Campus Rashtriya Sanskrit Sasthan Kot Bhalwal organized by Consumer Protection Organization to mark State Consumer Day. Addressing the participants, the Minister underlined the need to strengthen the J&K Consumer Protection Act by active public participation and people’s involvement at all levels.
He said that only awakened public conscience will play key role in safeguarding the consumer rights. He specially stressed on involvement of youth in the process and said today’s awakened youth can become a responsible citizen of tomorrow. Among others present on the occasion were Member Legislative Council, Surinder Choudhary, Director FCS &CS G. S. Chib, President Consumer Protection Organization, Dr. Danish, Principal Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthanam, Prof Ramanuja Devanatham.Laying stress on effective implementation of consumer protection act to safeguard rights of consumers, the Minister said that there is a need to break the chain of unfair trade practices including adulteration, overcharging, sale of spurious drugs and other misdeeds.He applauded Consumer Protection Organization (J&K) for representing the cases of aggrieved consumers before different forums under the Consumer Protection Act and regularly conducting workshops and seminars to promote consumer awareness.
He further highlighted the role of informed youth in checking the malpractices and said that the government is setting up State and District level consumer protection councils to meet the objective of efficient delivery system.He also assured effective steps for meeting the demands projected by Consumer protection Organisation for complete ban on use of polythene bags, installation of electronic weighing machine and scrupulous and efficient home delivery system for LPG cylinders both in urban and rural areas.On the occasion, the Minister also gave away advance medical relief worth Rs 68030 to families affected by LPG Cylinder blast on Aug 08 at Gorkha Nagar Bahu Fort . The relief was provided to the injured by HPCL following intervention of the Minister and the Legal metrology department.