Port Blair, May 12: The Department of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs is committed to zero tolerance towards any unfair trade practices to curb the menace of exploitation of consumers amidst this tough period of Lockdown due to COVID-19. The Department is relentlessly enforcing various provisions of the Rules & Regulations framed under the Essential Commodities Act 1955, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and various Notifications to this effect framed by the Government of India throughout this UT on daily basis. This exercise resulted in nabbing those persons/shops/establishments involved in any form of unfair trade practices and the violators were booked under relevant sections of the Act. Penal actions as per laid down procedures are taken in a time bound manner to act as a deterrent and so far an amount of Rs. 2,43,000/-  has been imposed on them as penalty during the Lockdown period in South Andaman.

Apart from the above, dedicated Control Rooms are functional in all District Headquarters wherein numerous complaints were received out of which 95% of cases were redressed in 24 hrs. Further, this Department imposed capping on the price of all Essential Commodities including perishable items such as Vegetables & Fruits with adequate publicity, which is regulated in true spirit resulting in effective control of the market price.

It is worth mentioning that all the proactive action taken by this Department has sensitised the consumers of this UT of their rights as the consumers have become very vigilant by promptly reporting any kind of unfair trade practices noticed by them.

The consumers are advised to be vigilant and inform the matter related to overcharging of any Essential Commodity to the notice of the Director, Directorate of Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Port Blair via text message only on mobile number 9434266828 or to the Control Room over Toll free Phone No. 18003453197 & on Ph No: 03192-234062.