Date:08/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/08/stories/2008040855310100.htm

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Move soon to check prices: Divakaran

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies C. Divakaran has assured that the government would intervene in the consumer market to check the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

He was speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a training programme for the members of the District Consumer Protection Council in the city on Monday.

“We will depute government vehicles to purchase vegetables directly from the farmers in Idukki, thereby eliminating middleman who are responsible for hiking the prices,” said Mr. Divakaran. “The government has also issued strict instructions to the officials concerned to undertake periodic inspection in the consumer market to ensure fair play for the consumers,” Mr. Divakaran added.

Later, inaugurating the workshop, Mr. Divakaran urged the consumer redressal forums to “adopt a people friendly approach.” They should not function like the conventional law courts “invoking fear” in the minds of the litigants, he said.

According to Mr. Divakaran the decision to merge the Department of Legal Metrology, previously functioning under the Department of Revenue, with the Food and Civil Supplies Department is aimed at maximising the benefit for the consumers.