Continuing with his efforts to strengthen the monitoring system in the department, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today informed that the department is gearing up for geo-tagging of its assets through Geographical Integration System (GIS).The announcement was made during a departmental review meeting, where the Minister said that the GIS is in tune with the Government’s resolve to create a transparent system. He said the system which will be connected with a Command and Control Room at Directorate would provide real-time data which would reveal the kind of work getting carried out at various Fair Price Shops (FPS) and Sale Centres. In turn it would help in bringing in more transparency in the functioning of the department, the Minister added.Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said for implementation of the system and to achieve the desired results the department has roped in the experts from National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Explaining the process, Technical Director, NIC Sunil Koul said that through the process the FCS&CA department would collect the geographical information of its various physical assets, which include Fair Price Shops (FPS) and Sale Centres. He added that the information would basically be very specific about the coordinates like latitude and longitude at which these centres are situated.Giving the future course of action, the Minister said in near future after the electronic purchase machines are installed at all the sale centres and FPS, the department would also integrate them with GIS which will give us real time information about all kind of transactions primarily related to food grain distribution made at these centres.He directed everyone in the department to ensure all the possible help is extended to the people who have been assigned the implementation of GIS work.Reiterating the need for serving consumers in a professional manner, the Minister said by serving people no one- whether a Minister or an employee, is doing any kind of favour to people as they are getting paid to for the job. He added it is therefore, important that a professional attitude is displayed while delivering our duties.Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, Director FCS&CA Nisar Ahmad Wani, Deputy Secretary, Arun Kotwal, Deputy directors FCS&CA Kashmir province and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.