Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today convened a meeting to review the implementation status of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and progress under various tribal affair schemes at Chanderkote.The meeting was attended by DDC, Doda, Bhupinder Singh, Director, CA&PD, Jammu, G S Chib, DDC, Ramban, Bashir Ahmed Dar, DDC, Kishtwar, Ghulam Nabi Balwan, Director Tribal Affairs, M S Choudhary, SSP, Ramban, Randeep Kumar, Joint Controller, Legal Metrology, AD Doda, Athar Amin, AD Kishtwar, Seema Parihar, AD Ramban, Ab. Rashid and other concerned officers.DDCs briefed the Minister about ongoing progress in view of computerization and digitalization of CAPD record. In Kishtwar, 55,264 forms have been received against 65,514 forms issued for registration of beneficiaries. Likewise in Doda, 94,573 forms have been returned out of 1,01,000 forms. He assured the Minister that the process of uploading shall be started shortly.
The Minister instructed the DDCs for synergizing the work of computerization and uploading of data within shortest possible period so that ration is issued to the beneficiaries under NFSA. He also directed the ADs to intensify the process by employing additional men and machinery.The Minister stressed on effective monitoring of supply position of ration in all the districts and advanced storage of ration at far flung areas so that the ration card holders should not suffer. He also stressed upon delivery of LPG and kerosene to the people as per the norms and guidelines besides concentrating those areas where the people are in dire need of kerosene oil.The Minister also asked DDCs of Kishtwar and Ramban to explore the possibilities for opening Gujjar Hostels in feasible locations.
The Minister announced opening up of a Legal Metrology Laboratory and consumer court in all three districts for regular analytical testing of food items. In this regard, he asked the DDCs to identify land and prepare documents. He further directed the ADs to issue ration to the beneficiaries only after it is tested positive for consumption. All unfit consignments shall not be received and the same be returned to the supplying agencies thereby making no compromise on the quality and quantity, he asserted.The Minister also reviewed the progress on schemes for tribal affairs including Tribal Sub-Plan and Article 275. He asked the DDCs to focus on skill development programmes by sponsoring various agencies for tribal people in order to make them employable in various forthcoming projects of Chenab valley.
Later, the deputations of local people called on the Minister at Ramban and apprised him about their issues including employment of locals in the railway and four lane projects, rehabilitation of people whose land damaged in railways and other projects and proper awareness of NFSA to the poor people.The Minister assured the deputations for early redressal of their issues and directed DDC Ramban to start awareness campaign on NFSA with the support of concerned officers so that poor people are not prone to rumors and misguidance.Meanwhile, the Minister flagged off a consumer awareness rally from Girls High School, Ramban in which people hailing from all sections of the society participated.He also chaired Gujjar and Bakarwals conference organized by tribal communities wherein community leaders appraised the Minister about their problems. The Minister assured them for devising a mechanism for resolving their problems on priority.