Keeping Muharram arrangements in mind, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), and Information Department Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today directed for distribution of additional 20000 quintals of food grains among consumers, especially in Shia inhabited areas.The Minister issued the instructions during a departmental review meeting.Speaking during the meeting, the Minister said that people, especially living in Shia dominated areas should be provided with an additional 20,000 ration supply at an earliest so that people in general, and Shias in particular across State do not face any kind of difficulty during holy month of Muharram.Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said Government is also working hard to procure additional sugar supply so that each house hold in Shia areas would be provided with one kg of sugar during the month.
The Minister also directed for formulation of various market checking squads to keep a check on profiteering, hoarding and black-marketing during the month. To ensure that government prescribed rate list is followed in letter and spirit, the Minister said those found in dereliction from the same should be dealt as per the law.
The meeting also reviewed the status of 37228.32 lakhs funds released by Finance Department to FCS&CA. The Minister was informed that the department under various heads utilized a fair portion of the budget for various departmental works.Reiterating need for owning departmental responsibility, the Minister said that it is imperative that department should make full use of allotted finances, especially salary revenue. He said the department should hire the services of competent authorities to fill up the vacant posts at an earliest.Zulfkar Ali impressed upon officers to ensure that uniformity is maintained in the distribution of funds in both Jammu and Kashmir region.Earlier, the Minister also held a “Consumer Commission” review meeting, where issues of office accommodation, posting of stenographers, support staff, posting of deputy registrar, and provision of furniture for office were discussed.The Minister also stressed for raising awareness on consumer protection act.Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, Controller, Legal Metrology Department Vipra Bahl, Director FCS&CA Jammu R A Inqalabi, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Nissar Ahmad Wani, Joint Controller LMD Amar Singh and other concerned were present in the meeting.