Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Information, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today conducted an extensive tour of Kupwara district to review the stock and supply position of essentials in view of upcoming winter season.The Minister also inaugurated Rs 50 lakh laboratory cum office of the Legal Metrology Department at Handwara. Later, the Minister chaired a meeting to take stock of functioning of FCS&CA, I&PR, and LMD Departments.Member of Parliament Fayaz Mir, MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar, Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Raina, District Development Commissioner Khalid Jahangir, Director FCS&CA Nisar Ahmad Wani, JD Information Kashmir Zahoor Ahmad Mir, ADC Handwara Peer Muzaffar Ahmad, DIOs of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Tehsil level officers of FCS&CA and other field functionaries were present in the meeting.Zulfkar, who is also the chairman District Development Board Kupwara, took stock of availability of essential commodities, winter stocking at far-flung areas of Machil, Keran, Karnah, Jumagund, Budnambal and snowbound areas of the district.The DDC informed the Minister about the stock and supply position of essentials and also informed him about the developmental scenario of the district.
While reviewing the functioning of Information Department, the Minister impressed upon the concerned to prioritise developmental stories highlighting the developmental aspects of governance.Zulfkar directed the concerned to ensure dumping of essential commodities for the coming winter season. He also directed to ensure measures to avoid pilferage, lift quality ration from FCI, and display rate lists outside fair price shops for awareness of consumers.“The Department is going to introduce on pilot basis electronic weighing machines from Kupwara for transparent distribution of ration among beneficiaries. Besides, 120 more FP shops will be sanctioned for the district. The Government is considering proposal to increase the quantum of ration under Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) to 50 kgs from the existing 35 kgs for the frontier districts,” the Minister said.He impressed upon the concerned to work with added zeal, zest and dedication so that benefits accrue to the people at large and the essential services are delivered to the beneficiaries well on time.