Modi in Delhi to chair meeting of Group on consumer affairs

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be in Delhi on Thursday 21st of October to chair a meeting of group on consumer affairs that includes the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu.

At Krushi Bhavan in Delhi, the Chief Minister will present a draft report, that would be discussed in detail by group members. The modified final report will be submitted to the Prime Minister.

It should be remembered that a Conference of Chief Ministers was held on 6th February, 2010 to discuss issues relating to prices of essential commodities. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Conference, a Core Group of Central Ministers and State Chief Ministers was constituted on 15th March, 2010. On 8 April, the core group meeting decided formation of several core groups on various subjects relating to prices. The Chief Minister of Gujarat was appointed chair person of a group on Consumer affairs. Following is the terms of reference of a group headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Terms of Reference:

Reducing the gap between farmgate and retail prices and better implementation and amendment to Essential Commodities Act including suggestion of strategies / plan of action inter alia for:

(i) Increasing efficiency of distribution channels from farm to consumers

(ii) Reducing intermediation costs and for reducing gap between farm gate and retail prices

(iii) State interventions for retailing essential commodities at reasonable prices

(iv) Enforcement of statutory provisions to improve availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices