The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Goa is a Regulatory department and implements various statutory provisions including as contained in:
- Essential Commodities Act 1955.
- National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Targeted Public Distribution System (Control) Order, 2015.
- Consumer Protection Act 2019.
- Prevention of Black marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.
- Goa, Daman and Diu controlled commodities. (Regulation of Distribution) Order 1966.
- Solvent, Raffinate and Slop (Acquisition, Sale, Storage and Prevention of use in Automobile) Order, 2000.
- Naphtha (Acquisition, Sale Storage and Prevention of use in Automobiles) Order, 2000
- Liquified Petroleum Gas(Regulation of Supply & Distribution) Order, 2000.
- Motor Spirit & High Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply & Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005.
And the rules made there under for regulating production, supply and distribution etc. of essential commodities. Under the Public Distribution System (PDS) department procures and distributes essential commodities including rice, wheat, sugar, etc. This is one of the Departments which have close contact with the general public. It is the endeavor of the Department that there should be cordial and harmonious relations with the public and the officials and to render excellent service to the people. Department has a head office in Panaji and separate Taluka offices in each of the five Taluka of North Goa and seven Taluka of South Goa.
Targeted Public Distribution System: The Government of Goa views the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) as an important constituent of a strategy for ensuring food security of the targeted population by ensuring availability of monthly quota of food grains to them as per entitlement. The Government is committed to implement the TPDS to the best advantage of the beneficiaries with full transparency, and efficiency of operations and accountability of authorities implementing it.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
The Department is also committed to protect and guard the interest of the Consumers in Goa and make available to them the means to assert their Consumer Rights and redress their grievances through North and South District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission and State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, and Consumer Conciliation Committee.
Consumer Protection Councils: As per section 6, 7, 8 & 9 of the Consumer Protection Act 2019, the Department has formed Consumer Protection Council at State level and District level.
- Goa State Consumer Protection Council
- North Goa District Consumer Protection Council
- South Goa District Consumer Protection Council
The Consumer Protection Councils are advisory council which renders advice on promotion and protection of consumer rights under the Act. The Chairman of Goa State Consumer Protection Council is the Hon’ble Minister in charge of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and consists of Officials and non-official members representing Consumer interest.
The Chairman of North Goa District Consumer Protection Council is the Collector North Goa and Chairman of South Goa District Consumer Protection Council is the Collector South Goa and both the District Councils consists of Officials and non-official members representing Consumer interest.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): The Department has constituted State level committee on Standardization, to promote the use of Indian Standards as a means for creating a robust quality ecosystem in the State of Goa and protecting the interests of the consumers by ensuring active involvement of the State in formulation and use of Standards. The Chairman of the Committee is the Chief Secretary, Government of Goa and Secretary (Civil Supplies) is the Member Secretary.
Direct Selling: The Consumer Protection Act 2019 has defined Consumer Protection (Direct Selling) Rules 2021 and expressly included any person who buys products or avail services through direct selling or multi-level marketing within the definition of ‘Consumers’. The rules have laid down duties and obligations for both direct selling entities and direct sellers to safeguard the interest of Consumers. Government of Goa has constituted Monitoring Committee under direct selling to monitor and supervise the activities of direct sellers and direct selling entities in the State. The Chairman of the Committee is the Secretary of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.