JAMMU: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said both Government and Civil Societies need to work together for making a better society, and improving the living condition of people in the State.
He said this while answering questions asked by people present in a public function “Janta Aur Sarkar” organized by a civil society group, Jammu Province People’s Form (JPPF). The function was also attended by Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli.
Highlighting the role of civil societies, Minister Zulfkar Ali said everyone has a role in making a better society, adding Government could bring the law however it is the civil societies and Government who need to work together to make people aware about the necessity of abiding by the law to make it more effective.
Stressing on need of having a vigilant society the Minister said that an aware society raises various issues in society which enable in putting a check on menaces creeping in it.
Choudhary Zulfkar Ali added present dispensation is sincere in streamlining the department and various initiatives have been taken in this regard. He said the department is in pursuit to create a proper uniform system, and successful implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA) is its prime example.
He added that State Government ensured that people do not face any food issues, therefore, introduced Mufti Mohammad Syed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) to provide a food cushion.
The Minister said Department took various steps to ensure that consumers are not mislead. He said after publishing regular advertisements in State’s leading newspaper dailies, the department also ensured that food rates are displayed outside every ration depot in the State, besides replacing old manual weighing machines with the digital ones so that consumers get exact amount for which they are paying for.
Giving brief about the new initiatives, the Minister said that the department would soon adapt Chhattisgarh electronic Public Distribution System (e-PDS), besides Deputy Commissioners (DCs) in every district, are also made responsible to ensure food gets distributed properly.
The Minister said that people would soon be provided with fortified flour so that various deficiencies regarding proteins and other important minerals are taken care off.
He also informed that Government has decided to provide sugar to consumers on three festivals of Diwali, Eid and Losar, and it would be called as festival sugar.
On introducing of “Guest Control Order”, the Minister said, he himself is keen to bring the order as there should be a check on the exuberant expenditure some people do on marriages. He added there are some legal issues that need to be looked into before bringing any such order
The Minister said despite taking various initiatives to check pilferage in the department, it is not humanly possible to monitor everything at all times. He said for the purpose public support is required, adding for more than 400 new fair price shops that would soon be started, Government would formulate a vigilance committee constituting members from vicinity. He said the members of the committee would be informed every time ration supply is sent to the stores to ensure that people in the respective areas do get their quota properly.
Giving details about kerosene, the Minister said the fuel in present age is mostly used by people belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. He said the Government is taking necessary steps to ensure that all deserving people can gas connections under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which basically would automatically replace Kerosene with Gas. He said so far 1.90 BPL families have been provided with gas connections under PMUY. He added still we are ensuring that whatever, the present requirement of kerosene is it reaches to the concerned people.
On ration card distribution, the Minister said so far nine lakh cards have been distributed, and the rest would be distributed soon. He said the people could get all kind of information and their ration tickets from the web portal.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli appreciated Choudhary Zulfkar Ali saying that the Minister has done commendable role in improving and streamlining of FCS&CA department.
He added that public forms are must to ensure that issues of public importance are highlighted. He said these forms give a platform to the unheard voices.
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