SME Times News Bureau | 18 Feb, 2021
Union
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Railways and
Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal addressed the virtual conference on
"Initiatives being undertaken in Departments of Consumer Affairs, Food
& Public Distribution" here today.
Speaking
on the budgetary provisions for Department of Consumer Affairs and Food &
Public Distribution, Shri Goyal said that the Government is committed for the
welfare of the farmers, migrant workers and consumers.
This
budget has special provision for the Poor, the Farmers and the Migrant workers,
the ones who provided the nation support during difficult times. He said that
these measures reiterate higher commitment of the present Government towards
farmers’ and their produce.
He
said the budget of 2021-22 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi expresses the confidence of India and all set to spread a new wave of
“AtmaNirbharta” across the globe.
Addressing
the Media, Goyal said, "Union Budget 2021 touches the life of common man.
The budget takes care of the poor people who is at bottom of the pyramid. This
budget instills a new hope for new India.
The Minister
said in the last 7 years, MSP payment was alltime high during 2020-2021. Rs.
75000 cr were paid to wheat farmers benefitting 43.46 lacs farmers. 1.72 lac
crore were paid as MSP for paddy to 1.54 cr farmers.
On
Consumer Protection Act, Hon'ble Minister said an empowered consumer will
transform the country into empowered nation.
Stressing
on digitization and modernisation in PDS, the Minister said that procurement,
distribution is being done in the most transparent manner."
Goyal
applauded the efforts of the both Departments under Ministry of Consumer
Affairs, Food & Public Distribution during Covid-19.
He
expressed his happiness that the departments successfully implemented scheme of
distribution of free food grains to NFSA beneficiaries and Stranded Migrant
labours during this period.
Applauding
the implementation of Consumer Protection Act- 2019, he said that this act has
replaced the 33 year old act and it significantly strengthens the rights of
consumers and have several new features including simplification of complaints
filing, dispute adjudication process & alternate dispute resolution
mechanism.
Goyal
said that under this act the sale of adulterated and spurious goods will be
strictly acted upon and this act provides regulation for the unfair trade
practices in e-commerce.
Goyal
said that the allocation for sugar industry significantly increased to about
6000 crore.
He
said Government has allowed to export 60 lakh MT sugar and Rs 6 per kg as
subsidy is directly paid in the account of sugar cane farmers.
The
diversion of excess sugar and utilization of foodgrains to ethanol for blending
with petrol will help in timely payment to sugarcane farmers and increase
income of farmers and also to make India Atmnirbhar in petroleum sector.