Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Governor N.N. Vohra participated in the “World Consumer Rights Day” celebration which was organized by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology, here today.
Governor emphasized the need for sustained attention being given to all issues concerning consumer protection and safeguarding the welfare of the consumer. He noted that the existing statute and the upcoming new central law would need to be effectively applied to protect the rights of the consumers.
Governor observed that it is of paramount importance to increase consumer awareness, adding that practical mechanisms would need to be adopted for generating consciousness among the consumers about their rights, the legal remedies and the various fora which are available for grievance redressal.
He stressed the importance of honesty and transparency at all levels to ensure efficiency and problem free delivery of services to the several million beneficiaries particularly the disadvantaged and depressed sections of the society.
Governor urged Minister for Food Supplies Zulfkar Ali to expedite the processes put in place to weed out ineligible beneficiaries to ensure that they cannot avail subsidized food rations.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali 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.
The Minister said there isn’t any compromise on safeguarding Consumer Rights and those found involved in deceiving consumers must be dealt with strictly. He 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 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.
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.
Chander Gulhati, Managing Director National Garage and Vikram Gour, President Consumer Welfare Association also addressed the gathering.
The welcome address was given by Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Secretary of the Department while Ajay Nanda, Minister of State for Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs presented a formal vote of thanks.
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