First Price Monitoring Committee Meeting held in Gangtok

Gangtok, August 4, 2014: Mr. N.K. Subba, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, chaired the first meeting of the Price Monitoring & Regulating Committee in Gangtok today. 

Organized by the Legal Metrology Unit and Consumer Protection Cell under the FCS&CA Department, the meeting was attended by Zilla Adhyakshas, Upadhyakshas from the four districts, Deputy Mayor of GMC, secretaries of various government departments, and representatives from organizations such as SIMFED, NABARD, and IOCL.

The meeting focused on critical issues such as the regulation of prices for essential commodities, strategies to prevent hoarding, and the enhancement of supply chains. Minister Subba emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, noting that laws alone are insufficient for effective price monitoring. He urged stakeholders to raise awareness about pricing and consumer rights to ensure market transparency. The Minister also addressed challenges such as inadequate storage facilities and unethical trade practices, highlighting ongoing departmental efforts to tackle these issues.

The Minister took the opportunity to commend the State’s recognition for its achievements in organic farming, as mentioned by the Prime Minister during his recent address in Nepal. He stressed the need for continued dedication from all departments to maintain the progress made in this field and assured strict monitoring to ensure that only organic produce is sold in upcoming Kisan Bazars.

In addition, Mr. Subba called for the swift implementation of the National Food Security Act and encouraged local authorities to create a systematic approach to selecting beneficiaries. He also highlighted the recent introduction of an SMS system for booking LPG refills, urging local institutions to raise awareness among rural populations.

Earlier in the meeting, Secretary D.P. Sharma provided a report on the committee’s functions, drawing attention to a recent National Conference chaired by Mr. Arun Jaitley, where strategies to prevent price rises were discussed. He also highlighted the efforts of the Legal Metrology Unit in enforcing regulations on pricing, packaging, and expiry dates, as well as the establishment of consumer protection mechanisms in the state.

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