Zulfkar reviews stock, supply position of essentials in Jammu division

JAMMU: The Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) has completed computerization of Tehsil Supply Offices across Jammu division with internet facility to enable online allocation, supply chain management, and grievance redressal mechanism to further streamline the Public Distribution System in the region.

The information was given in a meeting chaired by Minister for  FCS&CA, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, to review the commodity-wise, stock position, status of NFSA, Aadhaar seeding, installation of computers and internet (EPDS), details of ration cards, quarter-wise lifting-distribution under NFSA, MMSFES, remittances due and actual remittance made during fiscal 2016-17 in the Jammu division.

The Minister had a detailed review of the availability of stocks and supply position in each district. He was informed that there is sufficient stock of ration including rice, LPG, Kerosene oil available in Jammu, while the distribution of ration is also being ensured in a time bound manner.

Stressing the need to start online allocation, supply chain management, and grievance redressal mechanism, the Minister asked the Department to work on modalities.

He directed the concerned officials to freeze the ration card data and link the ration cards with Aadhaar at the earliest.

He also laid stress on strengthening the online public distribution system by linking it to the biometric system of distribution and said the move shall bring transparency in the distribution of food grains to the needy.

Assistant Director (Trade & Stores) was directed to allocate the ration to all the districts after deducting the opening balance of the respective districts.

Zulfkar asked the Director FCS&CA to constitute a team of officers to conduct physical verification of all stores and submit the report in stipulated time.

He said that the Government is committed to provide quality and standard food grains to the consumers and stressed upon the officers to ensure proper monitoring and check on the quality of food grains and keep a strict vigil on the Fair Price Shops (FPS).

The Minister stressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts for bringing more transparency in Public Distribution System so that the people do not suffer for want of food grains.

He asked the Assistant Directors to make frequent tours and monitor the supply position in their areas up to the level of fair price shops.

Director, FCS&CA Jammu R. A. Inqalabi, General Manager, FCI, Joint Director FCS&CA Jammu, Joint Controller Legal Metrology Department, Deputy Controller LMD, Deputy Director Planning, Assistant Directors from all the Jammu districts, Representatives of NIC besides senior officers of the Department were also present at the meeting.