*Sugar to NPHH category on ‘no profit no loss’ basis
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 8: While the Congress Legislator raised serious allegations regarding powerful `millers-officials’ nexus operating in the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department, the Minister for FCS&CA Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said that his department would switch over to bio-metric distribution of ration by the end of this year whereas, Non-Priority House Hold (NPHH) category consumers may also get sugar on `no profit no loss basis’ shortly.
The Minister further claimed that his department has also decided to extend the validity of existing ration cards, expiring in June this year by one more year.
Winding up discussion on the working of his Ministry in the Upper House today, the Minister said that the department has decided to go for bio-metric distribution of ration by the end of 2018 as part of reforms being introduced to bring transparency in the Public Distribution System.
Responding to the issues raised by members, he said that the consumers are being provided essential commodities as per entitled quota within fixed timeline and due attention is being paid to ensure they are provided quality of food grains.
The Minister announced that the validity of ration card which were introduced in 2015 is expiring in June and the same has been extended by one year adding that a Government order in this regard would be issued soon. He informed that the department has successfully covered 119.25 lakh population out of 125 lakh in the State under National Food Security Scheme, who are being provided essential commodities as per norms. He said implementation of NFSA coupled with series of reforms has greatly helped to contain the menace of black-marketing of the ration. He said MMFS people are is getting ration.
“The cheapest edible commodity in the market you can get is the rice/ atta from the food supplies store, which bears testimony to the successful implementation of NFSA Act,” he said adding that it has helped to reduce adulteration, pilferage and to bring transparency in the system.
“By the end of 2018 the beneficiaries will get ration through bio-metric and for the purpose machines are being installed in various districts of the State,” he added.
With regard to distribution of sugar to the consumers, he informed that 74.13 lakh beneficiaries were being provided sugar by the State out of its own resources as the subsidy on sugar has been withdrawn by Union Government with effect from April 2017. The J&K is the only State which is still providing sugar to the 70 % population at the rate of Rs 25 per kg. He said as per the demand of the legislators, the Government would work out the mechanism to provide sugar to all on no profit no loss basis.
Ali said 80% beneficiaries have been provided ration cards and distribution of remaining cards is being expedited, while the left over population is being included in the list.
He said earlier there used to be protests for ration but after he took over, it has been seen that there were no protests for the last 30 months anywhere in the State. Recently, in Kashmir and Jammu stores, excess ration was found which was not lifted by the dealers. It gives immense satisfaction to him that sufficient food grains are available with the department.
He said in Jammu there were 60,000 ration cards holders but it was found that LPG connections were 90,000. So, variation was detected and process was started to remove it. Under Ujwalla scheme, 3.60 lakh free gas connections were distributed among BPL category people in state and 9 crore target has been fixed in the country. He also disclosed that Kerosene dealerships are being cancelled and supply is being stopped. They may be offered some other dealerships including gas agency or Fair Price Shops etc. The matter will be taken up with the union Government. He said GPRS system has been introduced to monitory ration supply. Ali further said that 400 posts in the department have also been referred to SSB for the new recruitment.
Earlier, several members participated in a discussion on working of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in the House.
Initiating the discussion, Naresh Kumar Gupta sought the clarification about extra charges of ration cards from the beneficiaries, particularly when these have been prepared by the J&K Bank on a complimentary basis. He also said that as per census 2011 various families have not been included in the list of any category of rationees. He alleged that there was power nexus of corn grinding millers and officials from CAPD and some people have made their monopoly. They do not allow the new unit holders to compete in tender and do business. There was need to break and expose this nexus.
Ramesh Arora also shared the concern over the charging of extra money from beneficiaries on ration cards. He said the ration cards provided to beneficiaries are without signatures of competent signatory which needs to be looked into immediately. Providing list he pointed out that strangely people having income of Rs 1000 or even 1500 per month have been included in NPHH category. The matter is needed to be inquired. He also alleged bungling in transportation of food supplies and withdrawn of bogus bills.
Qaiser Jamsheed Lone said that due to non availability of the manpower the storekeepers have been given charge of additional stores which creates trouble for the people in getting ration well in time.
Sham Lal Bhagat, while praising the working of Government, demanded inclusion of left out families in the rationees list to enable them to get ration without any inconvenience. He also demanded for mobile stores for far-flung and semi-nomadic households. He demanded reshuffling of storekeepers on regular intervals to ensure transparency in the system.
Showkat Hussain Ganai criticized the Government for implementation of NFSA policy in the State, which he said has created troubles for the masses. He demanded adequate and timely distribution of ration among the people. He demanded for reviewing the allotment of Fair Price Licenses, while alleging discrepancies in the process.
Ghulam Nabi Monga criticized the Government for implementation of NFSA in hush- hush manner the State. He claimed that there are various loopholes at the ground level which needs to be looked into. He demanded that the Fair Price Shops be sanctioned on merits and established in uncovered areas.
Mohammad Khursheed Aalam appreciated the Government for adequate supply and timely distribution of ration. The legislator pointed out that the department has shortage of storekeepers and demanded necessary steps to further strengthen the ration delivery system. He said for about 4000 food outlets in Kashmir there were just 709 salesmen in the region. He demanded for adequate availability of sugar and flour at ration stores in Kashmir and stressed that sugar should be made available to all (NPHH) consumers at least under `no profit no loss’ basis.
Firdous Ahmad Tak hailed the decision of the Government to provide 50 kg ration for Warwan area. He demanded opening up of extension counter for ration distribution in Kishtwar district, release of the wages of FCS&CA daily wagers/ night chowkidars and their regularization to reduce their sufferings.
Sofi Yousuf, Surinder Choudhary, Saifuddin Bhat and Pardeep Sharma also spoke on the subject.
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