Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today asked concerned agencies for maintaining sufficient stock of essential supplies especially food grains and petroleum products in Kashmir division.The Minister issued the instructions after his visit to gas bottling plant of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation of India (HPCL) in Pampore and Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse at Lethpora to take stock of essential supplies situation in the Valley.The Minister was informed that presently the oil companies are maintaining stocks of 1937 KL petrol, 6403 KL diesel, 1637 KL kerosene and 67588 cylinders in Kashmir division.Expressing satisfaction over the stocks maintained by the oil companies, the Minister said that in present age it is important that initiatives are taken ahead of time to avoid shortages in future. He also urged oil companies to ensure that quality, safety and weight of the consignment are maintained at all times.Later, the Minister visited FCI warehouse in Lethpora and inspected the quality of food grains.
The Minister was apprised that FCI has a current stock of 86194 metric tons (MTs) of rice and 10548 MTs of Wheat for Kashmir division. He was informed that present stocks would suffice for next two months.Urging the agency to enhance their stock situation, the Minister said although the stock situation is good, efforts should be made for maintaining stocks for at least six months so that there is no dearth of food grains at any point of time in the division.Zulfkar Ali asked for creating synergy between various agencies engaged in distribution of food grains. He said all the stake holders including FCI, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), and FCS&CA need to work in harmony and coordination for smooth distribution of food grains.Director FCS&CA Kashmir, Joint Director Legal Metrology, Deputy Director Supplies FCS&CA Kashmir along with other concerned officers accompanied the Minister during his visits.Meanwhile, the Minister also evaluated stock situation of sugar supply for the Valley and said that the supply has already been dispatched to all districts, adding, the distribution has also started in some districts.The Minister was informed that so far around 3000 quintals of sugar has already been distributed in various districts.