Zulfkar for availability of essentials, frequent marketing checking

Srinagar: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Choudhary Zulfkar Ali Wednesday directed concerned officers of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) to ensure that all possible steps are taken so that people do not face any kind of difficulty during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Speaking during a review meeting, the Minister said there is a surge in usage of edibles and other related things during the month of Ramadhan. It is therefore, important that requisite steps are taken to prevent any of kind hoarding or profiteering activities carried out by the unscrupulous people of the society, he said.
Zulfkar Ali said there should be a limit on profit earning. Directing to enforce law on errant traders, the Minister said it is not justified that one product would have a different MRP at one place, while the similar product will bear different MRF at a different place within the state.
The Minister was assured that duel MRP issue has been put on check in entire state and uniform prices of products are maintained across the State.
The Minister asked to formulate a mechanism with which traders are asked to justify the rates labeled mentioned on their products.
Stressing on need to make checking of products a state-wide campaign, the Minister said the checking should not be restricted to one area only, but should be extended to entire State.
Zulfkar Ali directed the officers present to ensure that those errant traders who were found guilty and fined in the past are not repeating the same crime again.
Stressing on need to ensure cent percent stamping of instruments is done, the Minister said stamping is an essential component of LMD, and failure to do the work means sales of goods is done in violation of norms, adding anything done against norms is illegal.
During the meeting, the Minister also sought details for the revenue realized during fines conducted by the department in Kashmir province. He asked the concerned assistant controllers and inspectors various districts of the division to deliver their duties professionally and said the situation could not be an excuse for not serving the people.
The Minister directed the Controller LMD Vipra Bhal to visit and check all petrol pumps in entire state so that no one resorts to any kind of adulteration or manipulation.
Later the Minister also had a review meeting with FCS&CA officials to review electronic Public Distribution system.
Secretary FCS&CA, Shafiq Raina, Director FCS&CA, Jammu Mr. Inqalibi, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Nissar Ahmad Wani, and other concerned officers were present in the meeting. (KNS)