Activities of the Department

Activities / Programmes taken during the year 2007- 2008

(a)  CONSUMER AWARENESS :- In order to make Consumers aware about various rights as enshrined in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, wide publicity have been given through Consumer Campaign, Advertisement etc. Funds have also been made available in the State Budget which are then released to the Deputy Commissioners for conducting Consumer Awareness Programmes in the District, especially in the Rural Areas. Non - Governmental Organization have also been involved in the Consumer Awareness Programmes and on the recommendation of the Deputy Commissioners, Funds are accordingly released to them in the form of Grant-in-Aid etc. During the year 2007 - 2008, an amount of Rs. 50,000/- has been sanctioned by Govt. for holding Consumer Awareness Programmes at the State Level only.

(i)   STATE LEVEL :-  During this year, an amount of Rs. 50,000/- was sanctioned on Consumer Awareness Programme and the same has been spent for the purpose on the occasion of the National World Consumer Day, 2007 and the World Consumers’ Right Day, 2008, as well.

(ii)  DISTRICT LEVEL :-The amount of Rs. 7,00,000/- was released to the Deputy Commissioners @ Rs. 1.00 Lakh each District for holding the Consumer Awareness Programmes in the Districts. Details reports from the Deputy Commissioners are awaited.

(b)  COMPUTERISATION :- All the official activities of the Directorate viz., Implementation of T.P.D.S., Monitoring of Prices, implementation of Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Plan and Non - Plan Budget allocation, major achievements and major Plan Schemes, compilation of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual returns are being done by computers to ensure proper maintenance and record. Prior to 2006 - 2007, Computers and other accessories were procured for general Office use.

I. RATION CARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM : In the year 2007 - 2008, the Govt. has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 20 Lakhs for e-Family Identity Cards. The Budget allocation is very small and most of the Fund was utilized only for the purchase of Computer Hardware. In this connection 1 Server and 5 Client Machines and 1 Printer Computer Hardware has been supplied to this Directorate and 2 Client Machines and 1 Printer each to the 7 Districts.

The software application TETRAPDS have been developed by NIC Meghalaya and implemented for the purpose. Customization of the TETRAPDS for data entry of Ration Card details has been done. Data entry work started in East Khasi Hills District.

II. AAY BAR-CODED COUPON SYSTEM : The software application has been developed by NIC Meghalaya and is meant to ensure delivery of Foodgrains to all AAY beneficiaries in the State. The success of this Programme will take place only if the Deputy Commissioners and Sub - Divisional Officers to ensure that all Bar Coded Coupon are personally handed over to the beneficiaries only and not to Headmen / Fair Price Shop Dealers. Printing of the Booklet for each AAY beneficiary is being done at the Directorate. Printed coupons have been dispatched to Jowai, Nongpoh, Nongstoin, Williamnagar, Mairang, Mawkyrwat, Khliehriat, Resubelpara. Coupons in respect of Tura, Baghmara, Ampati are under printing. Data from Shillong, Sohra, Amlarem and Dadengiri have not yet received till date.

III. PDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – FUNDING UNDER CAPACITY BUILDING FOR POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME (CBPRP).

The Department has submitted a proposal to the Ministry, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances for undertaking Computerisation of TPDS under the CBPR Program. Govt of India has sanctioned the cost of the Project which is Rs. 43 Lakhs. The whole project has been taken up by NIC and the Supply Office of East Khasi Hills District Shillong has been selected as the pilot site for implementation of this Project.