Maintaining that government’s initiatives are centered around development of rural area, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali on Monday said that focused attention is being laid on improving the quality of life and well being of people living in these area.“Public welfare and providing equitable growth opportunities forms the core of governance and concerted efforts are being made to ensure sustainable development of rural areas viz-a-viz infrastructural updation and providing better amenities to the people", the Minister added.The Minister said this during his visit to Pancheri, a remote area of Udhampur district and took first hand appraisal of the demands of the people.During interaction with the Minister the people projected various developmental needs and expressed satisfaction over the ration distribution process and appreciated the functioning of the department.Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Neeraj Sharma and Director FCS&CA Jammu G S Chib also accompanied the Minister during the visit.Addressing the gathering, Zulfkar said that false propaganda was spread about NFSA and MMSFES but the manner in which these scheme were implemented in transparent manner ensuring that ration reaches to the beneficiaries has rekindled a new hope in the public that their rights shall be safeguarded and promoted.The Minister said that it is the duty of the government to provide quality ration to the people and has put in place an effective distribution system for timely delivery of essential services at the doorsteps of the people.
He asked the people to actively participate in monitoring the system closely and to raise their voice against any sort of mismanagement if found in the system.In a major step for giving relief to the people of the state, the Minister said that the government has taken the decision to distribute ration to them quarterly and the process will be implemented from the month of October. “With the implementation of quarterly distribution system, people need not visit the ration depots every month to collect their ration, as they will be provided ration for three months in advance”, he added.He instructed the Deputy Director to visit the area once in fifteen days to listen to the problems of the people and to redress the same on priority. The Minister directed the DC to submit a proposal for upgradation of road from Supply Morh Udhampur to Pancheri to improve connectivity in the area.Stressing on exploring potential of tourism activities in the area, the Minister also asked DC to submit a plan for developing the area to attract tourists coming to the state.“This hilly area has lot to attract tourists and its tourism potential will be tapped by updation of infrastructural development and necessary measures will be taken to create tourist based activities here”, he said.Speaking on the issue of rural electrification, he assured the people to take up the matter to the concerned department to upgrade the power infrastructure in the area.
He also asked the people to avail the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna (PMUY) and directed DC to include more deserving BPL women in the list of beneficiaries.On the occasion, the Minister also distributed ration cards among the consumers. He also directed for organizing a special camp of Aadhaar enrollments to facilitate the people.Zulfkar also inspected the food grain store at Pancheri and reviewed stock position available in the store. He ordered for the renovation of the store and asked the concerned to ensure display of rate list and ration scale outside the store for the benefit of the consumers.The Minister also conducted inspection at Government sale depot cum store at Panthal in Reasi district and reviewed the stock availability. He directed SDM Katra to identify a place to shift the store.At Katra, the Minister ordered attachment of 3 officers for dereliction of their duties. Assistant Director FCS&CA Reasi Mohammad Iqbal, TSO Katra Prem Nath have been attached to Directorate FCS&CA Jammu while Assistant Controller LMD Reasi Kuldeep Raj has been attached to Joint Controller office LMD Jammu with immediate effect.Among others, Joint Controller LMD Jammu V S Sambyal, Deputy Director FCS&CA Jammu, Deputy Controller LMD Jammu Manoj Prabhkar, concerned senior officers of FCS&CA, LMD, district officers and large number of locals were present on the occasion.