Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali on Tuesday said that consumer rights would be protected by bringing transparency in the system. He said an institutionalized mechanism is being put in place to ensure protection of consumer rights.Speaking at a function at Convention Centre Jammu, Organized in connection with the World Consumer Rights Day, the Minister termed the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs as a vital department in a welfare state, connecting people with the civil administration. He said accountable and transparent administration makes things easier for the general masses.Governor N N Vohra was the Chief Guest at the function.The Minister said there isn’t any compromise on safeguarding Consumer Rights and those found involved in deceiving consumers must be dealt with strictly. The Minister said series of awareness camps have been held frequently across all the three regions of the State to create mass awareness about consumer rights. “The department is working tirelessly for making consumers aware about their rights besides protecting them from unfair trade practices,” he said.”It is the duty of all citizens to raise their voice against unethical trade related issues which will ensure a system of accountability and transparency in service delivery,” he said.The Minister further informed that Consumer Protection is top priority of Jammu & Kashmir Government and it has focused on the issues of Consumers so that they are not being deceived.
“We will not allow anybody to deceive Consumers in J&K and we have built a strong Consumer grievance redressal mechanism to address the issues of Consumers,” Minister said adding that anybody found defaulting on it has been taken to task.Throwing light on the World Consumer Rights Day, the Minister said that the Day is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of consumers. He said these rights need to be respected and protected by curbing the market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights. He said the Day was inspired by USA President John F Kennedy, who gave an address to the US Congress on 15 March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights.About this year’s theme for World Consumer Rights Day, Minister said that ‘Building a Digital World Consumers can Trust’ is the need of the hour of present era. He said Jammu & Kashmir Government has digitized data which is bringing new revolution in the working of system. He said that his Department has 100 percent digitized data and now the Department is heading towards installation of Point of Sale Machines. He said that electronic Public Distribution will bring total transparency and accountability in the system. He informed that nearly 3 Lakh gas connections have been provided to the women living below the Poverty Line.“Under the NFSA we have digitized the entire data of 12542000 population of the state to provide an easy access to the consumers to obtain their e-ration tickets,” he said.About the J&K Governments thrust on safeguarding Consumer rights, Minister said that 3109 cases were booked and 3049 compounded and a fine to the tune of Rs 3771850 was realized from defaulters in Jammu Province during 2016.
Similarly they booked 1997 erring traders in Kashmir and a penal sum of Rs 1630400 was slapped on the defaulters in Valley. He added that the department booked some MNCs for violating the norms of labeling while some were booked for carrying smudged MRP’s on the labels. He added that some MNCs were booked for charging more than MRP and also for indulging in over-charging on text- books and stationery items.Speaking on the occasion, Union Secretary for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Hem Pandey said that Government of India was providing all possible help to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Central Government has given 25% increase to the funds for the Jammu and Kashmir. He informed that new Act is on anvil which would further streamline the food distribution in the country.Later Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Ajay Nanda presented vote of thanks.