Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: Secretary Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Sourabh Bhaghat today convened a meeting to discuss modalities for starting online allocation of food grains in the State from June 1, 2016.
He directed the concerned to identify two districts each from Kashmir and Jammu on pilot basis for initial online allocation along with offline allocation for the month of April and May. He also sought details of all sale outlet dealers including their mobile number, distance of sale outlet from CA&PD godown in all districts and details of monthly required allocation of each sale depot.
“To streamline the distribution network and make it more transparent, online allocation of food grains would be implemented across the State besides Fair Price Shops would also be automated by installing point of sale devices at earliest,” Secretary maintained.
He said that this will help to a large extent in plugging pilferages besides effective implementation of NFSA. He said this online facility would also help disseminate information to the concerned officers of CA&PD department, store keepers and dealers regarding the allocation of required quantity of food grains through a SMS. He said this would also facilitate the consumers to know about the status of their monthly ration quota besides ensuring timely delivery of essentials.
Stressing on early establishment of dedicated online grievances redressal portal for facilitating the consumers, Secretary asked the Directors to prepare DPR for the requirement of same besides appointing nodal officers to look into the grievances and ensuring their early redressal.
Among others Director CA&PD Jammu, Director CA&PD Kashmir, Director Finance (CA&PD) besides senior officers of NIC and CA&PD department attended the meeting.