Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Aug 30: Consumers in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to get subsidized sugar in next two weeks as the State Government has finalized all modalities for procurement of the commodity from Maharashtra-based miller, which won tender for the supply.
According to authoritative sources, the State Government today signed the agreement with the successful bidder after samples of the sugar were okayed by some reputed laboratories of the country.
Following the signing of agreement, both the Directors of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) will now place orders of supply for their respective provinces and the subsidized sugar is likely to be made available for distribution among the consumer by mid of September next, sources told the Excelsior.
As reported earlier, in view of sudden stoppage of levy sugar supply by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), the State Government had constituted a high-level Purchase Committee for procurement of PDS sugar from open market.
Headed by Administrative Secretary of CAPD, the six -member committee comprising Directors CAPD Jammu/ Kashmir, a representative of the Finance Department, Joint Director (Planning) CAPD and Financial Advisor CAPD, financial and technical bid for supply of 84000 metric tones of sugar every year to J&K were floated in the month of June, this year.
After a Maharashtra-based miller was shortlisted through the bidding, samples of sugar were sent to reputed labs for analysis testing. These samples were declared passed by the testing labs and the report in this connection was received recently, sources said.
Thereafter, sources added, a detailed memorandum on the basis of NIT conditions was drafted by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, which was approved by the Law Department, this week.
Following approval of the Law Department, the State Government entered into final agreement with the Maharashtra based miller today thus paving way for much awaited supply of sugar to J&K, sources informed.
“We have signed agreement with the Maharashtra based miller and the Director Jammu as well as Director Kashmir will soon place orders for supply of sugar, which is likely to reach here in next few days for further distribution among the consumers on subsidized rates,” said Commissioner Secretary CAPD Mohd Abbas Dar.
As the supply is likely to reach CAPD Central Godowns from Maharashtra in first week of next month for further supply to sub-stores, instructions have been issued by both the Directors to make necessary arrangements for hygienic and adequate storage of the sugar.
Today, I personally visited the Central Store Chatha and other sub-stores to ensure that proper arrangements are made for the storage of sugar, particularly in view of the current rainy season, said G S Chib, Director CAPD Jammu.
Follow our WhatsApp channel