KISHTWAR: On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, a meeting of the District Price Fixation Committee was held under the chairmanship of the Additional District Development Commissioner of Kishtwar, Vinod Kumar Behnal, to deliberate on the regulation of prices, quality and availability of essential commodities, particularly mutton, chicken, milk, vegetables, fruits and other food articles.
The meeting also addressed the maintenance of hygiene, prevention of adulteration, use of prohibited polythene and protection of consumer interests in the district.
The ADDC emphasized that the rate lists approved during the meeting shall be given wide publicity and strictly adhered to. He directed the associations concerned to ensure that the decisions are conveyed to every member and shopkeeper under their respective associations. The approved rate list must be displayed prominently at a conspicuous and readily visible place in shops and establishments.
He directed the President of the Butcher Association and the President of the Chicken Dealers Association to ensure personally that all their members are apprised of the approved rates and other directions issued during the meeting. They were further directed to impress upon their members that no deviation from the approved rates, hygiene requirements or prescribed food safety standards shall be entertained.
He directed the District Food Safety Officer, Kishtwar, to ensure daily checking of butcher and chicken shops and to undertake sampling and inspection of other food establishments, including milk vendors, bakeries and sweet shops. The District Food Safety Officer was further directed to initiate action against offenders without delay.
He directed the Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology, Kishtwar, to intensify checking of electronic weighing machines and to curb short weighment and manipulation of measurements effectively. He further directed that the use of electronic weighing machines shall be mandatory for all vendors concerned dealing in commodities sold by weight. He also directed that every vendor shall provide the consumer with a bill slip for every purchase. Any vendor failing to issue a bill slip shall be liable for action under the law.
The Assistant Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kishtwar, and the field officers concerned were directed to keep a close watch on the availability, stocking and rates of essential commodities and to take action against hoarding, black-marketing and artificial scarcity. He directed the Executive Officer, Municipal Council, Kishtwar, to ensure sanitation and cleanliness in and around commercial establishments. The enforcement teams concerned were directed to conduct regular and surprise inspections and take action against violators under the applicable provisions.
He directed the Municipal Council, the Food Safety Department and the Revenue Department to inspect fruit and vegetable markets regularly to ensure that fresh, quality produce is made available to consumers and that rotten, decomposed or otherwise unfit articles are not displayed or sold.
The ADDC emphasized that the enforcement exercise shall be continuous, coordinated and result-oriented. All officers and enforcement agencies concerned were directed to remain vigilant, conduct regular market inspections and ensure prompt action against violations. He further emphasized that consumer interest and public health shall remain paramount, and that any attempt to exploit the public through overcharging, adulteration, sale of sub-standard items, hoarding or unhygienic practices shall be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law.
Among those present were the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Pawan Kotwal; the District Food Safety Officer, Kishtwar, Sajjad Hussain; the Tehsil Supply Officer, Kishtwar, Suresh Kumar; other officers and officials concerned and the Presidents of the Chicken Dealers Association, the Butcher Association and the Vegetables and Fruits Sellers Association, Kishtwar.
