Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has set April 17 deadline for fidelity check of data to make National Food Security Act (NFSA) more people-friendly.In video-conference with Deputy Commissioners and CAPD Officers, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said before taking any decision on making NFSA more people friendly, the Government will try to ensure error-free data.He asked all DDCs to complete the exercise of fidelity check before April 17 so that the department takes some policy decision on making the NFSA more people friendly. He said all the DDCs shall have to issue certificate of data accuracy to the Department so that the government moves forward towards efficient implementation of NFSA. He said during the process of cross-check, no genuine beneficiary should be deleted from the list.It was decided that all DDCs will organize 3-day fidelity check camps in the respective districts and all other means including advertisements in media, Gram Sabha’s and pasting of lists in Fair Price shops.
The Minister said officers of other departments should be also involved so that cross check is completed before the deadline. He also instructed officers to remove confusion among people regarding negative campaign of some elements against NFSA and make them fully aware about its benefits.He said 426 computers are being given deployed for computing the data base which will further improve the functioning. Providing big relief to consumers, Chowdhary Zulfkar instructed for continuing past practice of providing Atta to the consumers instead of Wheat in the areas where the people are demanding for the same. “If people want to eat Atta, they should be given the same”, he instructed officers.Setting deadline of 15th of every month for ration distribution, Zulfkar said stern action will be taken against the concerned officers if he/she misses the deadline.Stressing the need of making District Grievance Redressal Cell fully operational, the Minister said the cell should register complaints and take action on them by keeping records available.The Minister also ordered immediate release of payment to the vendors who were engaged in the data entry process for NFSA.Secretary CAPD Saurabh Bhagat and other senior officers of CAPD were present on the occasion.