Functioning of consumer commissions reviewed across J&K

Jammu and Kashmir’s Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Saurabh Bhagat, on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning and ongoing initiatives of the Consumer Commissions across the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by the President of the State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, Presidents and members of the District Consumer Commissions, and senior officers of the FCS&CA Department, including the Special Secretary, Director Finance, Deputy Directors, Senior Law Officer, and officials from the Legal Metrology Department and National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Reviewing key infrastructural needs, the Commissioner Secretary stressed the urgency of expediting the identification and allotment of suitable land parcels for constructing permanent buildings for the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (DCDRCs). It was decided that the matter would be followed up proactively with the respective district administrations to ensure timely land availability.

The meeting also emphasised the need to fast-track the preparation and approval of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new DCDRC buildings in Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla and Kupwara. The Commissioner Secretary directed that these DPRs be treated as priority projects and asked the Legal Metrology Department to work closely with all stakeholders to accelerate the related technical and administrative processes.

A detailed review of staff shortages in various Consumer Commissions was also conducted. Bhagat directed the concerned officers to initiate concrete measures to address these gaps at the earliest to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Commissions. He further instructed that the digitisation of all case records, orders, and judgments be taken up on priority.