Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today called for completion of ration card distribution before end of the year. He also called for procurement and distribution of food-grains among beneficiaries up and above National Food Security Act (NFSA) as also under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) at no-profit, no-loss basis.Issuing the instructions during a review meeting, the Minister said that ration card is an important document that people require for many things, therefore, it is important that its distribution is completed by December 25th this year.Further highlighting the importance of the card for consumers, the Minister said people need the card while admitting their children in a school. He said one requires the document as a proof even for opening a new bank account.
The Minister added that the card would also help in streamlining distribution process of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Kerosene among the beneficiaries.To address food shortage in certain areas in Valley, Mr. Zulfkar Ali instructed Director, FCS&CA Kashmir, Mr. Tassaduq Jeelani to procure food grains up and above NFSA and under MMSFES from Food Corporation of India (FCI), and distribute the additional quota at market price under no profit and no loss, in the areas having shortage of food grains.Authorizing the Director, the Minister issued directions that Director FCS&CA Kashmir would identify areas in valley that have inadequate supply of food grains, and distribute the additional ration supply procured from FCI at market prices, with no profit and no loss. The Minister said that the present dispensation would take every possible step to ensure that there is no shortage of food grains in the State.Secretary, FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, Director and other concerned officers attended the meeting.