Introduction

An important Directorate of Food Supplies and Consumer welfare Department is functioning under the direct supervision of Commissioner-cum-secretary of the Department. The head Quarters of this Directorate is inside

Food Supplies and Consumer welfare Department, Orissa Secretariat Building, Bhubaneswar.

History

Market Intelligence concept came to lime light in pre-independence days i.e. in the year 1928 when British Royal Commission stressed on the collection and preservation of information on production, procurement, price collection, analysis price structure, storage of food stuff, its processing, utilization etc. After independence, Central Government had set up a commission is 1954 under the Chairmanship of Sri P. N. Thapar to examine the establishment of an organization who could have direct link with the market to provide the above information. The recommendation of the commission was accepted by the central Government and Market Intelligence Organization was created during 2nd five year plan. Afterwards in the year 1959, this organization started functioning in different states under Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

This organization is now functioning under Ministry of Agriculture at Central level. In Orissa Market Intelligence Organization was also functioning in the then Agricultural and Co-operation Department. In the year 1965, it merged with the present Food, Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department following Cabinet Resolution dated 02.12.64. According to the decision of the resolution, there would be a Directorate of Procurement and Market Intelligence and Inspectorate of Distribution. But subsequently the work activities were changed and the Market Intelligence has been entrusted with works of collection of Market data, Issue of radio bulletins, Weekly price bulletin, Market news bulletin and submission of periodical reports and returns to different quarters including Government of India.

At the time of transfer of this organization with post and persons to the then Supply Department., only few numbers of employees were working. After merger, this department took keen interest for expansion of the organization by appointing personnel to run this organization in full swing. Till 1996, there were 78 M.I. Inspectors at selected market centers all over the state for collection of M.I. data, enforcement of various control orders under E.C. Act and to look into P.D.S. activities. Unfortunately, many posts of M.I.I. were abolished due to non-filling up the vacant posts. As a result 78 posts of M.I.I have been reduced to 34 only. The present centers from where Market Intelligence are collected is as under: