Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 29: The Government would be able to save Rs 224 crore of poor people of the State besides providing them ration on 400 percent less rates than old TPDS with the implementation of National Food Security Act.
This was stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, while addressing a huge gathering at Potha Rajouri after inaugurating 8340 MT capacity FCI godown constructed under PEG scheme.
Taking a dig at those who opposed NFSA on one pretext or other just to gain political mileage keeping the interests of poor people at stake, the Minister appealed such anti-people elements not to exploit the innocent people rather supplement Government’s efforts of launching such reformative schemes. He said that under old system of PDS, State was procuring ration worth Rs. 474 crore annually which has come down to Rs 250 crore with the implementation of this people-friendly Act.
Zulfkar said that State has already decided to bring Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme to supplement NFSA from July 1 and preparation for the same is in full swing.
Assuring error free NFSA lists, Zulfkar said that it is core responsibility of Deputy Commissioners to make the lists error free and fidelity check is in process. He said that CAPD will get 100 percent accuracy certificate of lists following which Department will get these lists cross checked and verified by CID.
Congratulating the people for construction of this godown having capacity of storing 83000 quintal ration, Zulfkar said that atleast 2 lakh bags can be stored in this godown which is sufficient to feed Rajouri district for 3 months.
He also announced that CAPD will lift 100 percent ration from FCI godowns instead of 60 percent. He added that that earlier there was 60:40 ratio of lifting of foodgrains from FCI godowns and now it will be enhanced to 100 percent soon.
Pledging to modernize the department at all levels, Zulfkar said that Government of India has agreed for funding Silos which can store foodgrains for 5 years and these Silos are equipped with modern technology. He added that Maharashtra and MP have already constructed these Silos and Jammu and Kashmir will also work on this project soon. He said that ePDS and computerization is being ensured for modernizing CAPD and making the department 100 percent corruption free. He added that supply chain management is another big step to streamline the system.
Making call to local farmers to exploit marketing potential of maize crop, Zulfkar said that maize is the main agricultural produce in rural belts and it can be marketed keeping in view large scale demand of maize flour. He directed FCI to procure maize from local farmers on good rates and will supply the same back to people on subsidized rate of Rs 1 per kg.
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