Need To Reinstate Vigilance In Food And Consumer Safety

The inactivity of the Enforcement Wing of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department is a direct affront to the economic security and health of citizens. When public announcements of “reactivation” and “zero-tolerance” fail to translate into consistent, visible action on the ground, they erode more than just market discipline; they shatter public trust in governance itself. The situation, where price manipulation and food adulteration are alleged to run rampant with little deterrence, is untenable and demands immediate, unequivocal correction. The core function of this enforcement machinery is not a seasonal festival activity but a perpetual civic duty. Its absence creates a vacuum where unethical traders operate with impunity, burdening household budgets and jeopardising public health with adulterated goods. The assurances from officials, however well-intentioned, ring hollow when shopkeepers and residents across the Valley report never seeing an inspector. This gap between policy pronouncement and practical implementation points to a critical institutional failure, whether due to a lack of resources, political will, or administrative rigour. Citizens are not asking for the extraordinary; they are asking for the basic enforcement of existing laws. This requires a systematic, transparent, and accountable revival. First, the Enforcement Wing must be empowered and mandated to conduct regular, surprise inspections across all districts, with findings made public. Second, a streamlined, accessible grievance redressal system—possibly an app or dedicated hotline—must be established so consumer complaints trigger mandatory inspections. Third, punitive actions must be meaningful and widely publicised to act as a genuine deterrent. Token fines are ineffective; penalties must hurt malpractices where it matters most—their profitability and operational licenses. Market integrity is a cornerstone of social justice. Allowing a free-for-all in the pricing and quality of essentials is a tax on the poor and a betrayal of the government’s duty to protect the consumer. The administration must move beyond statements and demonstrate, through unannounced raids and published enforcement logs, that the guardian of the marketplace is not missing, but is actively and effectively on duty. The people’s patience is not indefinite, and their right to fair trade is non-negotiable.