Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Saurabh Bhagat, today chaired a comprehensive review of the Legal Metrology Department at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by Controller Legal Metrology Rajinder Singh Tara, Director Finance, Additional Secretary, Joint Controller, Deputy Controllers, Assistant Controllers, and other officials.
During the review, the Commissioner Secretary emphasized the critical role of the department in safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring fair trade practices. He highlighted the need for strict enforcement of Legal Metrology laws to ensure that consumers receive the correct value for their money in all commercial transactions.
Bhagat also took a detailed stock of infrastructure, manpower, and mobility challenges faced by the department and assured that necessary steps will be taken to upgrade facilities, including setting up state-of-the-art laboratories and strengthening enforcement mechanisms. He further underlined the importance of continuous capacity building of officers to stay abreast of technological developments in the marketplace.
He directed officers to expedite processing of all pending departmental proposals and ensure timely redressal of consumer complaints, with proper documentation of actions taken.
The Commissioner Secretary also reviewed the department’s preparedness for Muharram and the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025. He instructed concerned officers and nodal officials to intensify enforcement, market inspections, and vigilance against malpractices during the festive and pilgrimage periods.
Earlier, Controller Rajinder Singh Tara presented a detailed overview of departmental initiatives including enforcement of standard weights and measures, consumer protection efforts, and promotion of fair trade practices.
He informed that around 10 services of the department have been made available online through the J&K Single Window Portal under the Business Reform Action Plan and compliance reduction framework.
Tara highlighted the department’s unique position between buyers and sellers, striking a balance between consumer rights and ease of doing business. He added that verification camps are being held in remote areas, and awareness programmes are being conducted to educate the public about legal remedies under the Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection Acts.
He also reiterated the need for modern infrastructure and improved mobility to keep pace with evolving marketing trends.