RAIPUR: Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today called on Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Raman Singh at Raipur and hold detailed discussion on the highly successful e-PDS model operational in Chhattisgarh.
Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali was accorded warm welcome at the CM residence where the duo held threadbare discussions on the electronic public distribution system (e-PDS) operational in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister highlighted the roadmap of the e-PDS and offered full cooperation in implementing the model in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chhattisgarh CM gave full credit to electronic based monitoring and distribution mechanism for remarkable success of PDS in his state. He said his government has initiated some far-reaching reforms which has enabled them to bring about complete transparency in the system and also eased people’s problems.
“The efficient monitoring system has enabled to eliminate bogus ration cards. For instance, every house in a Lakhanpur area had a large round sign, painted next to the door, displaying the category of ration card held by that household and the corresponding entitlements” he said adding this serves the dual purpose of generating awareness about entitlements and naming and identifying those who possess a ration card (e.g. an Antyodaya card) for which they are not eligible.
About the delivery system of ration, the CM told Zulfkar that they have expanded PDS coverage and low issue prices have contributed to give voice to otherwise poor and disempowered rural cardholders. He added that PDS has become a political priority in Chhattisgarh and a decision was made to turn it around, instead of siding with the corrupt officials/dealers. He added that monitoring grain movements had become one of the top priorities of even patwaris and tehsilars and PDS is the first agenda item whenever meetings were held at the district.
The Chief Minister offered all possible cooperation in streamlining PDS in Jammu and Kashmir.
He praised various measures taken by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti despite facing tough time and wished her great success in achieving the goal of transparent and accountable administration at all levels. He also praised Zulfkar for his untiring efforts to make the PDS more vibrant and efficient in Jammu and Kashmir.
Thanking Chief Minister for his offer of cooperation, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that Chhattisgarh has adopted very effective public distribution system and Jammu and Kashmir can also get benefit by following their model. He said that since he also wanted to bring total transparency in his department, it is important to compare and contrast various models implemented in different states. He added that best model will be taken into consideration and implemented in the state.
Apprising Chief Minister about overall scenario of Jammu and Kashmir, Zulfkar said that even though turmoil the state government is working hard to help people and ease their sufferings. He said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is striving hard to resolve issues of public. He invited Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and Food Minister of the state to visit Kashmir and interact with the consumers.
Meanwhile the Minister was also given power point presentation by the officers of Food Supplies and Consumer Protection Department of Chhattisgarh government. They briefed every aspect of PDS and reforms brought into the system.
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