Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) on Monday asked all districts to distribute food grains among the consumers immediately after receiving the delivery of supplies.The Minister stressed on supply of ration directly to dealers for further distribution to the consumers to avoid wastage of time in process of loading and reloading at the departmental depots. He was speaking at a meeting of deputy commissioners of the state convened through video conferencing.The Minister also directed the DCs to freeze the data regarding National Food Security Act (NFSA) before the end of this month.He said that the Government wants to ensure benefits of various schemes, including, National Food Security Act (NFSA), and Mufti Mohammad Syed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) reach to the genuine people. And for this, he said, it is essential that the DCs ensure that both priority and non-priority lists are compiled with utmost accuracy.“Quantity of ration to each district in future would be provided as per the compiled data and for that each district shall ensure that the information they provide is thoroughly checked and frozen before the end of this month” The Minister asserted.Asking the departmental functionaries to be more proactive while performing their duties, the Minister said till the construction of new stores in the district it would be better to take adequate spaces on rent for the stocking of food grains.
On the issue of problems being faced in some districts for transportation of ration to end points, the Minister said that FCS&CA Directors in both provinces of the State have been authorized to hire vehicles offering lower rates than SRTC, in case the latter fails to provide one.The Minister also directed both the Directors to take steps to supply advanced ration to provide ration to the consumers. Stressing upon officers to comply with Government orders in letter and spirit, the Minister asked the officers not to fail in fulfilling the commitments made by the government.“If there are any issues in fulfilling any commitment made by the Government, the concerned officers should clarify his position, else it becomes non-compliance of a Government order, which is a crime” he said.During the meeting, the Minister also sought a detailed report from FCS&CA Director, Kashmir on the distribution and utilization of kerosene across the State.Secretary, FCS&CA, Shafiq Raina, Director FCS&CA, Jammu, G S Chib, representatives from National Information Centre, and senior officers of the department.