Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today stressed on maintaining transparency and accountability at all levels to ensure an efficient service delivery to the beneficiaries in the state. Minister said this during a meeting convened to review the functioning of the department.During the meeting, a threadbare discussion was held on several issues including commissions to FPS (Fair Price Shop) dealers, loading-unloading charges, freight charges, labour issues and many alike.Taking a strong note on delay in disbursement of outstanding payments to the PFS dealers, the Minister sought the district wise detailed report of carriage and commissions paid to FPS dealers in the last 11 months and directed for early disbursement of the pending payment.The Minister directed the Director FCS&CA Jammu to personally monitor issues of outstanding payments of the dealers and ensure timely disbursement of payments.The Minister also took a detailed review of the district wise status of stock and supply position, allocation, lifting and distribution of food grains and asked the field functionaries to ensure that every beneficiary coming under National Food Security Act (NFSA), Mufti Mohammad Syed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) and other schemes should receive allotted quota of food-grains on time.Ch Zulfkar asked the concerned officers to put in synergized efforts to bring more efficiency in the functioning of the department. “Any negligence in maintaining records would not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against the erring officials”, the Minister exhorted.
He said Introduction of Electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS) in the state will prove to be a revolutionary step in further bringing accountability and transparency in the system. He said that the government is fully committed for the protection and promotion of economic and social well-being of the citizens and requisite steps are being taken to ensure hassle free supply of quality ration to the people. He asked the officers to make sure that a uniform scale for distribution of ration in all the districts is maintained.Ch Zulfkar directed to resolve the carriage charges issues of FPS dealers in Migrant colonies. He exhorted upon the concerned officers to properly utilize the revolving funds and further asked the concerned to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to keep a track on district wise allocations, disbursed and outstanding payments to the dealers.He asked the officers to procure the quality ration in advance to ensure timely distribution and directed for maintaining a proper stock register.Later, a delegation of FPS dealers also met the Minister and put forth their demands and grievances. The Minister assured them that all their genuine concerns will be looked into for redressal.Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA, Mehraj-ud-Din Khan, Director FCS&CA, Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani, Director FCS&CA, Jammu, Ch Rashid Azam Inqalabi besides senior functionaries of the concerned department attended the meeting.