Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3: The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Power, Shabir Ahmed Khan today asked the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CA&PD) to involve the Panchayat Representatives (PRs) to streamline the public distribution system and put in place effective measures to enforce consumer protection laws in rural areas
The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the stock and supply position, besides the quality of food grains being supplied to areas of Jammu province, here today at Civil Secretariat.
While reviewing the supply position of ration, LPG and Kerosene Oil particularly to far-off and rural pockets, the Minister directed the CA&PD to ensure that people get timely and best quality ration. He also directed for proper regulation of LPG and Kerosene Oil to the consumers in far-flung areas.
The Minister warned the officials against any lapse and made it clear that any inconvenience to the public will not be tolerated. He issued instructions to the concerned to take necessary steps to remove the bottlenecks, if any, to ensure uninterrupted supply and adequate stocking of food grains to every nook and corner of the region.
To cater to the need of ration under BPL and APL, especially to the nomads, the Minister directed the officers to issue fresh ration cards after proper verification by concerned Tehsil Supply Officers.
The meeting informed that the Government of India has sanctioned special allocation for Kashmiri migrants, BPLs, orphan house, Gujjar and Bakerwal and registered hostels in Jammu region.
Mr Shabir apprised that the proposal for allocation of ration to the State as per the 2011 census was under active consideration of Government of India and it was expected that the scale of ration would be enhanced to meet the increased demand. He also impressed upon the officers to conduct frequent tour to their respective areas and personally monitor the ration supply to far-flung and remotest areas so that the poor people living in these areas get hassle free supply.
Regarding shortage of LPG in Surankote, Sunderbani and Batote, the Minister asked the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to hold meeting with the functionaries of the oil companies to sort out the issue at the earliest.