Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Ch Zulfkar Ali informed the House that the department has accorded approval of opening new Fair Price Shops at 4388 identified locations across the State.Replying to a question of legislator Rajiv Jasrotia, the Minister said that the new ration sale depots have been allotted to the applicants as per the policy and duly recommended by the concerned directors and assistant directors. He informed that department has made no engagement on adhoc, need and contractual basis from April 2015 onwards.With regard to the implementation of New Food Policy in the State, the Minister said that in pursuance of Cabinet decision No. 166/13/2015 dated 0.12.2015 read vide Government Order No. 74-CAPD of 2016 dated 20.04.2016, the State Government has implemented National food Security Act (NFSA) with effect from Feb 1 2016. He added as per the Act, the rationees have been categorized into two categories PHH and NPHH. “The families falling under AAY are provided 35 kg ration per family at Rs 3 per kg rice, Rs 2 per kg wheat and Rs 3 per kg Atta, while under PHH category ration is being provided at 5 kg per soul at Rs 3 per kg rice and Rs 3 per kg Atta. He said as per the census 2011, 74.13 lakh souls under Priority Household and 45 lakh under Non-Priority Households are covered under NFSA.
The Minister said that the scale of ration provided to the consumers under AAY scheme stands at 35 kg per RT at Rs 3 per kg rice, Rs 2 per kg wheat and Rs 25 per kg sugar. Similarly, PHH category rationees get 5 kg per soul at Rs 3 per kg rice, Rs 2 per kg wheat and Rs 25 per kg sugar, while NPHH category get 5 kg per soul at Rs.15 per kg rice, Rs 12 per kg wheat and Rs.13 per kg Atta. He further said that there is no scarcity of kerosene oil and cooking gas in the State especially in rural areas.Responding to another part of the question, the Minister said that the department of FCS&CA has constituted an enforcement squad for conducting regular market checking to curb adulteration, over charging, smuggling, black marketing and pilferage of ration and other essential commodities. He said last year (2017) the enforcement squad conducted inspection of 93396 establishments, of which 23215 were booked and a Rs 1.01 crore was realized as fine.