Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today called for ensuring cent percent procurement, lifting and distribution of food grains by streamlining the existing mechanism.Speaking during a review meeting convened with the officers of the FCS&CA department here today, the Minister said the department should ensure that the release orders (ROs) for desired food grains are procured ahead of time. He said it would ensure timely procurement and distribution of food grains among consumers. He said to ensure smooth procurement and distribution, it is imperative that proper mechanism is formulated to achieve 100 percent efficiency.The Minister was informed that under National Food Security Act (NFSA) from February to December 3, 2016, district Kathua is leading in Jammu province with 96 percent of distribution of allocated food grains. The meeting was informed that against the allocation of 3, 06,676 quintals of food grains, so far 2, 92,174 quintals have been distributed among the consumers in the district.District Ramban is at number 2, with 95 percent of distribution on allocation. A total of 1,51,352 quintals of food grains were distributed against the allocation of 1,60,018 quintals, while district Udhampur follows with 94 percent achievement at number third in terms of percentage of distribution on allocation in the province. District Doda with 72 percent comes at the bottom of the chart, where out of allotted 2, 24,556 quintals, 1, 60,904 quintals were distributed.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that it is the responsibility of the department to distribute rations to the consumers in time so that the allocated food grains are provided to them for consumption. He asked the officials to adopt the positive approach in achieving the desired results. He added that the department has to find ways and means to carry out tasks in a better and scientific manner.The Minister said people are directly dependent on FCS&CA, therefore, the efficiency in the department’s work has to be at par with the aspirations of its consumers. He added if the department delivers well it would receive appreciation from people themselves, as it happened in recent months in Valley, while the Departmental functionaries’ worked with tremendous dedication during the turmoil period. He said change is must, and unless a better work attitude is adapted, achieving desired results in serving people would not be possible.Secretary, FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, Director, FCS&CA Jammu, G S Chib, General Manager, Food Corporation of India, Kishore Kumar, Special Secretary, FCS&CA Nissar Ahmad, Assistant Directors FCS&CA of Jammu Division and other concerned officers attended the meeting.