Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information Department Zulfkar Ali today said the J&K Government would continue to provide sugar subsidy to the people of State falling under Priority Household (PHH) category although the same has been discontinued by the Centre.Speaking during a review meeting with Consumer Council members, the Minister said that the Central Government discontinued the sugar subsidy from April this year. However, J&K through a Cabinet decision has decided to continue providing sugar subsidy to 74.13 lakh people falling under Priority Household (PHH) category.The Minister said that the decision would put an extra burden of Rs 100 crore per annum on the state exchequer.The meeting was informed that presently sugar is sold at Rs 47 per kg in market. However, with State subsidy the consumers falling under PHH category would get sugar @ Rs 25 per kg from government fair price shops and outlets, the Minister said.
During the meeting, the Minister said that providing justice to consumers is the top priority of the Government for which various steps are being taken. He said strengthening of Consumer Forums is a step in the direction for which all possible steps are taken.Seeking the update about various cases pending with consumer forums, Choudhary Zulfkar said the cases should be categorized and should be disposed off in a time bound manner.Zulfkar directed the concerned to organize State level conferences and workshops to make people aware with their rights and the redressal mechanism lay down by the Government. He said in order to make the consumer forums more effective it is important to sensitize its members.He directed to follow the proposed amendment in the consumer protection act as well as initiate the proposal for amendments in existing rules and formulation of the regulations for the smooth functioning of the forms.Assuring the complete support from Government, the Minister said Government is keen to strengthen the consumer forums and for this necessary recruitment would be shortly carried out.