In a major step towards ensuring transparency in the allocation of food grains, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today launched the system for online allocation of food grains from district Samba.In its maiden online allocation of food grains, the department allocated 6694.92 quintals of Rice and 10327.68 quintals of Atta under NFSA benefiting 77059 ration card holders besides 3045.44 quintals of Rice and 4568.16 quintals of Atta under MMSFES to district Samba benefiting 72053 beneficiaries. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the online allocation of food grains has been started first in district Samba as pilot project and the same shall be rolled out in district Kulgam on August 26 while the process shall start in Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Ramban from August 29, he added.The Minister said that the online allocation system of food grains would help the department in ensuring speedy distribution of food grains to its consumers and put a check of any pilferage. The Minster informed the meeting that the Directorate of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) will allocate the food grains to the all Deputy Commissioners who are authorized to allocate the food grains to Tehsil Supply officers.Zulfkar said that this online system would help at a large extent in plugging pilferages besides effective implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES).
He said this online facility would also help to disseminate information to the concerned officers of CA&PD department and fair price shop dealers and also the beneficiaries regarding the status of allocation of food grains.The Minister said that this process would also facilitate the consumers to know about the status of their monthly ration quota besides ensuring timely delivery of essential. Zulfkar also informed that the process of digitalization of ration cards data has already been completed and the details of beneficiaries has been put on the department portal.On the occasion, the Minister congratulated the Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda through video conferencing for this e-governance initiative and said this would infuse transparency and help in timely allocation of food grains in the district. He directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure smooth and timely distribution of ration through Tehsil Supply Officers.Taking serious note over the sale of Cement bags on higher rates in Srinagar, the Minister constituted a enforcement committee to take action against those erring shopkeepers who involve in such practices so that general public may not suffer on account of overcharging.Director FCS&CA Jammu, G.S. Chib, Director FCS&CA, Srinagar, Tassudak Jeelani, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and other officers attended the meeting.