Akhoon holds maiden meeting with CA&PD officers

Stresses for making PDS more consumer friendly

Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD), Mr. Qamar Ali Akhoon today said that the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state would further be streamlined to make it more consumers friendly.

Addressing a maiden meeting of officers of CA&PD department here today, Mr. Akhoon said that to maintain the stock and supply position in the state all necessary steps would be taken. He asked the concerned to ensure proper verification of consumers under centrally sponsored subsidized schemes to remove the discrepancies if any and see that real beneficiaries are covered properly. He said that the new rationees under AAY, BPL and Anupurna be identified and the requirements be projected in requisitions.

The Minister asked for timely stocking of essentials in border and far flung areas to meet the present and winter requirements. He stressed for reactivating the enforcement squad of CA&PD to ensure smooth availability of essentials and maintaining price levels in the open markets. He cautioned black marketers, hoarders and profiteers against the malpractices which are main cause of consumer grievances.

Minister of State for CA&PD, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan present in the meeting enjoined upon the officers and field functionary of CA&PD department to be sincere towards consumer concerns and ensure that better services and goods are provided to the people. He asked them to be pro-active for minimizing the grievances of the consumers and strengthen the credibility of Public Distribution System in the state.

Earlier, Secretary CA&PD, Mr. K.B. Jaindal gave a presentation regarding functioning of CA&PD and Legal Metrology department. The presentation also highlighted the present stock and supply position and census data of the state. Directors, CA&PD, Kashmir and Jammu, Mr. Mehraj Din Kunoo and Mr. Hemant Sharma, besides other officers were also present in the meeting.