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JAMMU, June 5: In a significant move aimed at strengthening consumer protection and ensuring fair trade practices, the Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Jammu, Rajesh Shavan has decided to establish a dedicated enforcement and monitoring mechanism in coordination with the Legal Metrology Department, Food Safety Department and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
A series of decisions in this regard were taken during a recently held high-level meeting chaired by Director FCS&CA Jammu, Rajesh Kumar Shavan.
Senior officers from FCS&CA, Legal Metrology Department, Food Safety Department and BIS participated in the meeting.
Among those present in the meeting, were Joint Controller Legal Metrology Department Manoj Prabhakar, Deputy Director (F&R) Sham Lal Abrol, Deputy Director (P&S) Jyoti, Assistant Director Supplies Rehana Tabassum, BIS Director and Head Jeevanandam D, and Food Safety Officer Vikas Gupta.
One of the major decisions taken during the meeting was the introduction of a daily reporting mechanism. Under this arrangement, the Legal Metrology Department and Food Safety Department will share daily enforcement and monitoring reports with the Directorate of FCS&CA Jammu.
The reports will include details of penalties imposed, sealing of establishments, seizures and other consumer-related enforcement actions. A standardized reporting format will be devised by the Directorate, while a dedicated database will be maintained for monitoring and analysis.
The Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration and BIS authorities will also be requested to share enforcement-related data with the Directorate.
To ensure prompt grievance redressal, it was decided that whenever FCS&CA field staff detects violations or receive complaints regarding food quality, hygiene or adulteration, officials from the Food Safety Department will immediately be called for sample collection and laboratory testing.
Similarly, in cases involving weights, measures or other trade malpractices, Legal Metrology teams will be summoned to the spot for initiating legal proceedings, issuing challans and imposing penalties. BIS intervention will also be sought wherever necessary.
Expressing concern over repeated violations by certain traders and establishments, Director FCS&CA directed the creation of a specialized tracking system to identify habitual offenders.
According to the decisions taken, repeat violators who disrupt fair pricing and supply mechanisms will face stricter punitive action under the relevant provisions of law. Comprehensive records of such offenders will be maintained and monitored regularly.
The meeting also discussed the handling of complex cases involving multiple violations such as non-display of official rate lists, under-weighing, failure of product samples and other unfair trade practices. Such cases will be formally documented and reported to higher authorities for stringent administrative and legal action.
To strengthen monitoring and coordination, the Directorate has decided to establish a Special Cell within FCS&CA Jammu. The cell will function under the supervision of the Assistant Director (Supplies) and will comprise Senior Assistant Pooja, Junior Assistant Deepak Chib and Junior Assistant Rekha Gandotra.
The team will be responsible for daily compilation, review and archiving of market enforcement reports received from different agencies. In another important decision, the Directorate resolved to establish a dedicated Enforcement Wing for market surveillance and consumer protection.
The wing will function in coordination with the Legal Metrology Department and Food Safety Department and will be headed by the concerned Assistant Director at the district level. Assistance from local administration, area Inspectors and police authorities will also be sought whenever required.
The newly constituted enforcement wing will conduct regular inspections of markets, manufacturing units, retail outlets, storage facilities and distribution centres to check hoarding, black marketing, profiteering and quality-related violations. The wing will also ensure implementation of Government-approved price lists, verify weights and measures, monitor food safety compliance, investigate consumer complaints and submit weekly progress reports regarding penalties, seizures and overall market conditions.
To ensure continuous monitoring, the Directorate has decided to hold monthly review meetings involving representatives of FCS&CA, Legal Metrology Department, BIS and Food Safety Department.
Representatives from Chambers of Commerce, trade associations and Non-Governmental Organizations will also be invited as special participants to provide feedback and strengthen consumer-centric governance. Similar review meetings will be conducted at district and tehsil levels, with reports shared with the local administration.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of FCS&CA today constituted a Flying Squad at the Directorate Level to undertake extensive market checking inspections. The Flying Squad comprises Jyoti, Deputy Director (P&S), FCS&CA Jammu; Rehana Tabasam, Assistant Director (Mills), FCS&CA Jammu; Rohit Kumar, Assistant Director (Trade &Stores); Aashish Goswami and Sandeep Singh Jamwal (TSOs).
The team will remain available at all times for conducting on-spot inspections and for carrying our necessary checks/inspections as and when required. They will take technical assistance of FSSA, Legal Metrology or BIS, whichever is applicable.
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