Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Aug 11: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Information, Zulfkar Ali today inaugurated a one day awareness camp on NFSA and MMSFES and rights of consumers here today.
The Minister was accompanied by MLA Samba, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Director FCS & CA, R.A Inquilabi, ADC Samba Tilak Raj Sharma, Joint Controller Legal Metrology V. S Sambyal, Joint Director Mansoor Ahmed and officials from Legal Metrology, FCS & CA and Information Department.
All the ration dealers of Samba district, prominent citizens and members from various consumer forums were present during the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Zulfkar said that the dealers are an important part of the department and called upon them to show more customer friendly attitude. He said that dealers commission has also been increased and they are being made on monthly basis now. He informed that Government will be opening 4388 new ration depots to improve the service delivery mechanism and bring ration depots more nearer to the customers.
The Minister said that transparency has increased in ration disbursement and Government is working towards biometric distribution of ration through ‘Point of Sales’. He dispelled doubts regarding decreased ration supply and said that food grains supply has increased from 7.51 lakh metric tonnes to 11.84 lakh metric tonnes within two and half years of Coalition Government. Besides, coverage of BPL souls has increased from 26 lakh to 75 lakh now. He further added that J&K is the only State where sugar subsidy is being continued and Government exchequer has to bear this additional Rs 211 crore subsidy.
In response to demand for kerosene supply in the district, the Minister directed district Administration to conduct fresh survey and furnish report in this context. MLA also spoke on the occasion and demanded that food store building be revamped as per requirement.
Replying to MLA’s demand, Zulfkar informed that fresh survey is being undertaken for identifying AAY beneficiaries so that ration could be provided to widow, poor and destitute people and they will be put in ‘Priority House Hold Category’.
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