In January 2002 it was decided to integrate the activities
of the 3 branches of the Department in the interests of the consumer movement
and to provide more effective service to the consumer from a single point.
As a first step, the erstwhile Drawing & Disbursing
Officers of the State Commission and the different Fora were changed from the
Food and Supplies Department officials and SDOs to the Deputy Assistant
Director, CA&FBP in each district. Consumer Welfare Officers of the
Directorate of CA&FBP were attached to the State Commission, the District
Fora and Inspectors of Legal Metrology to coordinate various activities relating
to consumer awareness and to help in utilising optimally the computers
installed in various Fora and the State Commission under a Central Sector (new
scheme). For effective integration a comprehensive guideline has been issued
Annex – XI.
Unutilised Central Government Grant was fruitfully put to
use by providing the State Commission, 3 District Fora, the LMO, the
Directorate headquarters and the Department with computers and ancillary
equipment. The NIC provided software tailored to the needs of the Fora, the LMO
and the Directorate so that data relating to cases, non-tax revenue and
personnel could all be computerised. In the next year it will be possible to
provide consumers print-outs of orders passed by the Fora promptly through this
NIC software.
It was found that offices of the Directorate were housed in
rented premises while space was available in the New Complex of Bhabani Bhavan
in Kolkata. Accordingly, the Public Works Department was approached and
allotment orders obtained for accommodating several such offices. Considerable
savings in expenditure of government funds was brought about.
Further, the local offices of the three branches were
situated quite far apart. It was decided to house them all in the same premises
so that consumers could receive integrated service and support in one place.
In order to integrate the newly created Directorate into
consumer action mode, the Principal Secretary met every Assistant Director and
his Deputy in Divisional level meetings along with every Assistant Controller
and Inspector of Legal Metrology and examined their performance.