Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 13: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Tribal Affairs Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today exhorted upon the officers of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) to redouble their efforts for improving the functioning of the department to increase revenue realization besides effective monitoring for enforcement of various laws and Acts of the department aimed at protection of consumer rights.
The Minister issued the directions at a meeting convened to review the functioning of LMD and the mechanism followed by the department to safeguard the interests of consumers.
The Minister took a detailed district wise review of the physical and financial achievements of the department in Kashmir province. He stressed the need for streamlining its functioning and strengthening the enforcement mechanism. He said that possibilities would be explored to make the enforcement mechanism of the department more effective by reviewing the penalization for different violations.
Expressing concern over the shortage of field functionaries, the Minister asked the concerned to fill all the vacant posts in the Department on fast-track basis, adding that Government would also consider re-organization of the Department to improve its functioning.
He asked for intensive market checking to prevent unfair trade practices and directed the department to set up complaint cells at district level for prompt response and grievance redressal of the consumers.
He also stressed on close monitoring of LPG distribution, particularly with regard to home delivery of the cooking gas cylinders and asked to ensure cent percent home delivery besides keeping a strict vigil on black marketing of the same.
Zulfkar also directed the officers to conduct periodical verification and stamping of meters in auto-rickshaws, taxis as well as check the weights and measures used in commercial and industrial establishments. He also called for surprise inspections on petrol pumps to detect any violation of the provisions of the Legal Metrology laws.
Later, a deputation of K-Oil Wholesale Dealers Association called on the Minister and presented a memorandum of demands.
The Minister gave them patient hearing and assured that all their genuine issues would be looked into.
The meeting was attended by Director, CAPD Kashmir, Deputy Controller LMD and Assistant Controllers from all districts beside other officers of the department.
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