KL NEWS NETWORK

SRINAGAR

Zulfikar Choudhary in Rajouri on May 29, 2016

The government would be “able to save” Rs 224 crore of “poor people” of the state besides providing them ration on 400 percent less rates than old TPDS with the implementation of National Food Security Act.

This was stated by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, while addressing a gathering at Potha Rajouri after inaugurating 8340 MT capacity FCI godown constructed under PEG scheme on Sunday, an official spokesperson said this evening.

Taking a dig at those who opposed NFSA on one pretext or other just to gain political mileage keeping the interests of poor people at stake, the Minister appealed such anti-people elements not to exploit the innocent people rather supplement governments efforts of launching such reformative schemes.

Notably, the CAPD Minister was cornered in current Budget Session on Saturday for “faulty” procedures and implementation of NFSA in J&K. He had face wrath from his own party’[s lawmakers including M Ashraf Mir, Yawar Mir and others.

He said that under old system of PDS, state was procuring ration worth Rs 474 crore annually which has come down to Rs 250 crore with the implementation of this people-friendly Act.

Zulfkar said that state has already decided to bring Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) to supplement NFSA from July 1 and preparation for the same is in full swing.

Assuring error free NFSA lists, Zulfkar said that it is core responsibility of Deputy Commissioners to make the lists error free and fidelity check is in process.

He said that CAPD will get 100 percent accuracy certificate of lists following which Department will get these lists cross checked and verified by CID.

Congratulating the people for construction of this go-down having capacity of storing 83000 quintal ration, Zulfkar said that at least 2 lakh bags can be stored in this go-down which is sufficient to feed Rajouri district for 3 months.

He also announced that CAPD will lift 100 percent ration from FCI go-downs instead of 60 percent. He added that that earlier there was 60:40 ratio of lifting of food grains from FCI go-downs and now it will be enhanced to 100 percent soon.

Pledging to modernize the department at all levels, Zulfkar said that government of India has agreed for funding Silos which can store food grains for 5 years and these Silos are equipped with modern technology.

He added that Maharashtra and MP have already constructed these Silos and Jammu and Kashmir will also work on this project soon. He said that ePDS and computerization is being ensured for modernizing CAPD and making the department 100 percent corruption free.

He added that supply chain management is another big step to streamline the system.

Making call to local farmers to exploit marketing potential of Maize crop, Zulfkar said that Maize is the main agricultural produce in rural belts and it can be marketed keeping in view large scale demand of Maize flour. He directed FCI to procure Maize from local farmers on good rates and will supply the same back to people on subsidized rate of Rs 1 per kg.

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