COVID-19: FCS&CA goes for massive distribution of essentials

Jammu : Amidst the lockdown imposed to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Food Civil Supplies & Consumers Affairs, Jammu, has plunged into massive distribution of essentials besides undertaking delivery of masks, sanitizers and free ration to stranded labour and daily wagers.
The department has distributed 95.14 per cent of advance ration for April and May, 99 per cent rice and pulses under under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) for April, 2.12 lakh masks and .44 lakh hand sanitizers besides providing 1000 qtl of free rice and 1500 qtl of free atta for stranded labour and daily wagers in Jammu division.
“FCS&CA has evolved a multi-pronged mechanism envisaging adequate supply and regular monitoring of essentials to all in distress with special emphasis on stranded and migrant labourers. Besides, special market checking, addressing public concerns and issues through a well established Help Desk and facilitating trucks and transporters were few other measures being taken up by the department in this hour of global crisis”.
Giving a detailed break up about these activities, the department has informed that the department has distributed about 95.14 per cent of Advance Ration for the month of April and May, 2020 among the rationees in Jammu till date. Out of 538348.61 qtl of foodgrains, 513986.93 qtl has been lifted from FCI and 512188.63 qtl stands distributed among the beneficiaries.
Likewise, about 98.84 per cent of rice has been distribution under PMGKAY for the month of April, 2020 among each soul of AAY, PHH and BPL categories @ 5KG per month. Out of 157884.30 qtl of rice, 157651.50 qtl has been lifted from FCI and 156052.35 qtl stands distributed among the beneficiaries. Also, 29.14 % of rice has been distributed under PMGKAY for the month of May and June, 2020 to each soul of AAY, PHH and BPL Categories @ 5KG per month. Out of 315768.60 qtl of rice, 173941.98 qtl has been lifted from FCI and 92000.53 qtl stands distributed among the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the department has distributed about 98.58 per cent of pulses (Gram Channa) under PMGKAY for April among beneficiaries of AAY, PHH and BPL Categories @ 1KG per month. Out of total allocation of 7749.15 qtl of pulses, 7746.91 qtl has been received from NAFED and 7665.85 qtl stands distributed among the beneficiaries. Besides, about 22.01 per cent pulses (Gram Channa) have been distributed under PMGKAY among the beneficiaries of AAY, PHH and BPL Categories @ 1KG per month for May, 2020. Out of total allocation of 7749.15 qtl of Pulses, 5250.37 qtl has been received from NAFED and 1232.44 qtl stands distributed among the beneficiaries.
Additionally, the department has distributed 2.12 lakh 3 Layer Ply Masks and 0.44 lakh Hand Sanitizers among the staff of the ACB, Labour, SRTC, Agriculture, Finance PHE, Div Com etc, Labourers, Drivers, Health workers and other persons who are engaged with management of COVID-19 outbreak.
Meanwhile, the authorities are ensuring strict monitoring of availability and supply of Kerosene Oil and stock of other essentials like Petroleum, HSD, LGP, Fruits, Vegetables etc. The concerned have been directed for ensuring availability of sufficient supply of essential commodities during COVID-19 pandemic. The Department has also issued 940 KL of K.Oil among the beneficiaries in the month of April, 2020.
Recognizing the hardships being faced by the Stranded Labour and Daily Wagers, the department has provided 1000 qtls of Rice and 1500 qtls of Atta to Red Cross Society Jammu for distribution through a committee constituted on the Directions of Divisional Commissioner among the poor and stranded labour and daily wagers free of cost.
In order to keep check on prices of essentials in the market, the Department activated monitoring and enforcement staff who has imposed fine of Rs. 116250/- from 25.03.2020 to 07.05.2020 from the defaulters.
The department has also established an Emergency Control Room in the Directorate of FCS&CA, Jammu wherein all consumers and beneficiaries within the territorial jurisdiction of Jammu District can register their queries and problems relating to Essential Services and related issues.
Meanwhile, the department has appointed Assistant Director, Jammu Rural-I to coordinate and take daily report from the Ware House, Retailers Association, Pharmaceuticals Association, Fruits and Vegetable Association, Transporters, Milk and Milk Products Association, LPG & Petroleum Products Companies, so that the supplies are maintained and provided to the end users without any problem.
To redress the issues of Trucks and Transportation, a Joint Group of Officers of SRTC & FCS&CA Department has been constituted.