Jammu: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and Tribal Affairs (FCS&CA), Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said there is no shortage of essential commodities as of now anywhere in the state and there is sufficient stock of food grains available in departmental stores.
The Minister said this while taking a detailed review of district wise status of stock and supply position, allocation, lifting and distribution of food grains in Kashmir division through video conferencing.
Commissioner Secretary FCS&CA , M.D. Khan, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani, Director FCS&CA Jammu R.A. R. A. Inqlabi and other senior officers of the Department also participated in the meeting.
Giving brief account of stock and supply position of essential commodities in the Valley, Director FCS&CA Kashmir informed that about 1.50 Lakh quintals of surplus food grains are available with the department. He informed that from Ist January to December 31, 407294.244 metric ton of Rice and 19383.98 metric ton of wheat was allocated by the department and 407294.244 metric ton of Rice and 19353.978 metric ton of Wheat was lifted during the period.
The Minister expressed satisfaction over the surplus stock of food grains available in their department.
Minister sought details of the quality and stock position of rice, wheat, Atta and sugar. He directed the concerned officers and officials to maintain the stock position documents up to date and dispatch the ration for distribution among the consumers well in time. He asked the FCS&CA functionaries to ensure that the consumers get essential commodities as per the entitled quota within the fixed timelines.
Zulfkar also reviewed the progress on implementation of NFSA and MMSFE schemes and emphasized for close coordination and collective efforts to carry forward the initiative of providing access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices.
The Minister asked the officers to ensure timely lifting, transportation, storage and distribution of ration, besides verification of all the sale centres and stores in their respective areas. He warned the officers against negligence in discharge of their duty and said the erring officers would be dealt sternly. He asked the officers to monitor the availability and distribution of food grains and submit the physical report in detail to his office on monthly basis.
Directing the concerned for lifting remaining stock of food-grains from Food Corporation of India (FCI) forthwith for distribution at the sale outlets, the Minister asked the Director, FCS&CA Kashmir to coordinate with FCI authorities in this regard.
The Minister also reviewed stock and supply position of essential commodities for Ladakh Region, the Minister directed the concerned for dumping sufficient stock of food grains and petroleum products in the region.
Zulfkar Ali also asked the officers to keep available food grains in departmental stores as per the area specific requirements.
