By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 31: Amid the growing cases of illegal sugar-smuggling activities along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya, the state government has directed all districts and subdivisions to coordinate with the Border Security Force (BSF) and other relevant departments to prevent such activities and prevent sugar inflation.
The direction was issued by the Department of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs following a discussion on the issue during a meeting of the State Consumer Protection Council here on Friday.
During the meeting, which was chaired by Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Comingone Ymbon, addressed the issue of fortified rice and its awareness, and suggested a regular inspection of petrol pumps regarding complaints against fuel adulteration.
The minister, who is also the chairman of the State Consumer Protection Council, also urged the officials to have a robust mechanism to conduct consumer awareness programmes, and sensitisation on consumer rights at the district and state levels.
He also suggested the involvement of self-help groups (SHGs) in disseminating awareness among the people at the grassroots level.
Commissioner & Secretary, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Pravin Bakshi, informed that the meeting was held to assess various initiatives undertaken by the department such as the Price Monitoring System (PMS), monitoring of prices of 22 essential commodities, to give advance feedback for taking appropriate policy interventions, to ensure the availability of essential commodities, and keep prices under control at the district and subdivisions levels.
Others who attended the meeting were members of the State Consumer Protection Council, including MLAs Rupert Momin, Santa Mary Shylla and Damanbait Lamare, and other officials.