Minister for Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution (CAPD) and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali has underscored the need for speedy digitization of records in the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department for the effective implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA).Speaking at the inaugural function of One-Day Orientation-cum- Workshop on NFSA organized by the Directorate of CA&PD here today, the Minister also sought central government funding for J&K on Northeastern pattern to enable the State install latest IT equipment in CA&PD Department for comprehensive digitization of records.The programme was attended by the Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Mr Nilambuj Saran, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, Mr. Deepak Kumar, Secretary CA&PD J&K, Mr. Saurab Bhaghat, Deputy Director General, NIC, Mr. Gautam Gosh, Director CAPD Jammu, Mr. G. S. Chib, all Assistant Directors of Jammu division and other officers of CAPD.
The Minister said with the implementation of NFSA the poor consumers of the Jammu and Kashmir would be immensely benefited. He said though it was a challenging job for the Government but the employees of the CA&PD department worked tirelessly to achieve the targets on NFSA implementation. He said more than 22 lakh forms were distributed and filled-up by the concerned beneficiaries and scrutinized by the Department. He said all Deputy Commissioners have already been directed to upload the data on dedicated websites for public scrutiny.Zulfkar asked the participants to discuss frequently and raise the issues, if any so that clarifications are made, as and when needed. He also requested the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution to organize similar workshop at Srinagar also. Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution, Mr. Nilambuj Saran and Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Mr. Deepak Kumar also spoke on the occasion and briefed about the NFSA.Deputy Director General, NIC, Mr. Gautam Gosh briefed the workshop about “End to End computerization of TPDS Operations” scheme through power point presentation.Earlier, Secretary CAPD in his welcome address highlighted the activities of the department.