Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today directed the officers to ensure availability of food grains and essentials in the valley and work in coordinated manner to ensure its hassle free distribution.The Minister was speaking at a meeting of CA&PD department to discuss stock and supply position in Kashmir province. It was attended by Secretary, CA&PD, Mr. Shafiq Raina, Director, CAPD, Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmad, besides Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors of all the Districts of Kashmir province.Taking the review of stock position and distribution process, the Minister issued directions to all Assistant Directors to complete July month distribution within 2 days. He was apprised that they have completed 89 % distribution in Kashmir Valley in which they succeeded in 100 percent distribution in Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Pulwama , Leh and Kargil while there is 82 percent distribution in Srinagar, 83 percent in Shopian, 80 percent in Kulgam and 63 percent in Anantnag.
The Minister took strong notice of slow distribution in Kulgam and sought an explanation from Assistant Director Kulgam regarding the same. He also issued strict instructions to AD Badgam to improve lifting and distribution process under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme.
Reviewing the status of other essential commodities, the Minister said that they have distributed 2.46 lakh cylinders of LPG during the current month in Kashmir Valley whileas they have 2.32 lakh more cylinders available in stock which are sufficient for 18 days.Regarding stock of petroleum products, he said that there is also sufficient stock of petroleum products. “We have 2452 KLs of Petrol, 10710 KLs of Diesel and 5230 Kls of K Oil available in stock”, he added.Issuing instructions for decentralizing Sugar distribution in Kashmir Valley, the Minister said that Department will establish Sugar store in Anantnag for supply of sugar for 4 south districts of Kashmir viz Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian while remaining districts will be supplied Sugar from Central sugar store Srinagar.
Setting deadline for distribution of Ration Cards in Kashmir valley, the Minister directed all Assistant Directors to ensure 100 percent distribution of ration cards before August 14, 2016. He warned officers of disciplinary action if they fail to issue RTs before the set date. He also directed taking up the issue of printing of remaining Ration Card copies with J&K Bank.The Minister also directed officers to make amendments if any in the lists of beneficiaries before August 10, 2016.Seeking lists of opening of new fair price shops, the Minister directed all Assistant Directors to submit their lists before July 30, 2016. He also instructed Assistant Directors to submit utilization certificate of Kerosene oil and said that new allotment will be made only after producing UC.