Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 13: Ignoring the compulsory Electronic Public Distribution System (EPDS), the J&K Government is all set to launch much publicized National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Jammu and Kashmir State from February 15, 2016.
This entire exercise apparently in haste, is going to become realty within next two days despite the fact that a lot of discrepancies still exist in the database being prepared to up-load on the national portal. Though many officials within the CAPD department feel that incorrect database is going to create massive problems and chaos in future for the Department, yet ignoring the much needed corrections, the Government seems to be in haste to launch the NFSA in the State.
Exposing the flaws and shortcomings in the system at present, highly placed sources in the department told the Excelsior that like before launching a train service in a particular region, you need a proper rail-track to be built. Similarly, before the launch of National Food Security Act in the State, there is urgent need to computerize the whole system covering all the CAPD stores, tehsil and block level small offices and make the Public Distribution System on-line. As per the NFSA, it is mandatory for any State to introduce Electronic Public Distribution System (EPDS) before launching NFSA.
Unfortunately, the CAPD Department failed to set up much needed Electronic Public Distribution System in the State despite the fact that Union Government like many other sSates, provided Rs 20 crore to J&K for this purpose about one and half years ago. The department had also made extensive exercise for it involving experts from NICs and decided to purchase about 700 computers and other gadgets for setting up the system. But that money was utilized for some other purposes and very small number of computers were purchased for Divisional level offices only. The roll out is being made in the absence of complete EPDS in the State.
According to census 2011, the population of J&K State is 125.48 lakhs but the total beneficiaries identified under all categories so far and uploaded on the national portal are around 117.45 lakhs and if the beneficiaries of Srinagar, Leh and Kargil, around 15.60 lakh are included in this then total will become around 133 lakh souls. There is huge difference. It has been detected that around 7.5 lakh souls have been identified due to duplication/ multiple entries in the database. Under priority category beneficiaries to be identified in J&K are 74.13 lakhs, under non-priority category 45 lakhs while under exclusion category beneficiaries to be identified are 6 lakhs. While data of Srinagar, Leh and Kargil could not be generated so far, in Baramulla district, the data was uploaded on Friday and Saturday. In Srinagar the people have not even filled up their forms in many wards, the sources added.
Giving instances, the sources revealed that in Udhampur the population as per 2011 census is 5,55,357 but 6,74,282 souls have been shown on the data base. In Rajouri, the actual population is 6,19,260 but on data base 7,57,493 beneficiaries are shown. In Baramulla the population is 10,15,503 as per latest census but on data base the number projected is 12,26,526. In Doda there is difference of over 28,000 souls. As per average of 5.5 members per family, ration cards were supposed to be given to 8, 23,790 families but in data base they have identified 11,23, 588 such families in the State.
In many cases not only duplicity in the names is existing but some senior bureaucrats have been shown in non-priority category with multiple entries with their names who were supposed to be in exclusion category as notified by the Government. Even the persons holding constitutional positions are figuring under non- priority category which is wrong as per NFSA guidelines. For example, MLA Ghulam Mohd Saruri, son of Said Ullah Saruri under Unique RC ID No. 00000174 in Kishtwar has been shown under Non-priority category instead of Exclusion category. Again, a top bureaucrat Braj Raj Sharma, under Unique Ration Card ID 00075642 in Jammu has been shown under Non-Priority category, indicating annual income Rs 50,000. Former CAPD Minister from Rajouri has not been shown in any list. One Mohd Azam of Budhal having age of 32 years has shown head of the family with 24 members, which is factually incorrect and he himself challenged the list before concerned Tehsildar and TSO. If such glaring discrepancies are occurring in cases of VIPs what will be the fate of common man, one can well understand. It is unfortunate to detect that many Government employees are figuring in AAY and BPL categories.
It has been cleared under NFSA that all persons holding constitutional position, all Gazetted Officers or equivalent rank in Corporations/ Boards/ PSUs will be kept in exclusion category besides businessmen having business turnover of Rs 25 lakh per year and income tax payees of the slab @ 30 % or highest tax slab, but in many cases many such people exist as shown in an example above. The data base is incorrect and needs immediate correction before the launch of the scheme.
It is also interesting to note that almost all the Deputy Commissioners have submitted the data with certificates to the concerned (CAPD) Commissioner Secretary, indicating that there is still scope of correcting duplicate entries/ fidelity check up of PHH data. The DC Udhampur has clearly mentioned that “BPL/AAY data as on date (10-2-16) may be uploaded on the NFSA portal, however, option of deletion, transposition, modification is required to be made available”.
Former RDD Minister and National Conference general secretary, Ali Mohd Sagar said that NC has already cleared its stand on this issue and opposed the NFSA suggesting some necessary measures but PDP-BJP appeared to be in hurry. He said when NC raised the issue forcefully on the floor of the House the PDP agreed and sought at least six months time for making necessary changes and introduce corrections. “Now, we are unable to understand how, within two months the officers at the helm of affairs corrected their database and are going to roll back the NFSA in J&K in hush- hush manner on Monday. In Srinagar district the people have not filled up even forms. We are unable to understand how DCs have generated data. What is the compulsion of the present Administration to launch NFSA in haste. They should at least correct the data base, otherwise they will be forced to roll out it within couple of days. It appears that concerned DCs have also not provided correct data and they are doing this all under top bureaucratic pressure,” Mr Sagar added.
Leader of Opposition in Legislature from Congress Nawang Rigzin Jora (MLA Leh) said the people connected with the launch of NFSA should apply mind before the final roll out. There are still massive discrepancies/ wrong entries in the record which need time for the correction. The Department should not do things in hasty manner. They should take much needed time for correction of data base and computerization of the whole network in the department before the launch of this Scheme. Otherwise, this scheme will add to the woes of the general public. ” It may force Govt to roll back the scheme. “Let the popular Govt come in next couple of weeks and do this all,” Mr Jora said.
Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, MY Tarigami when contacted said that he had raised his voice in the State Legislature also and moved a resolution during 2014 Autumn Session which was supported by ruling as well as opposition members but despite that it was not implemented. Tarigami said he had suggested food security for all and had demanded 35 kg ration for each family and provision of grains at the cost of Rs 2 per kg in J&K. He said there are many flaws/discrepancies in database as inputs received from various quarters. But unfortunately Government seems to be in hurry to roll out the Scheme in J&K. “If they are so concerned at least they should straight the record first. They should take more time to scrutinize the data. “Why they are in so hurry, we are unable to understand,” Mr Tarigami maintained.
Special secretary CAPD, Mohd Akbar Ganai when contacted said that Department is going to launch NFSA in the State most likely from Monday or Tuesday. He said the necessary preparations are being made for the same. He admitted that there are still many mistakes/ errors and duplicity in the data base but maintained that their staff is engaged in making corrections. He said this process will continue in next couple of weeks.
When asked why necessary computerization of the department was not done before the launch of this scheme, Mr Ganai said that some computers were purchased and installed in some offices but that process will take some more time. He admitted that nearly 700 computers are needed for the same and EPDS is yet to be set up in the CAPD department in the J&K State.
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