CS calls for strengthening food security measures and enhancing transparency
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Legal Metrology Departments. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Saurabh Bhagat, Directors FCS&CA of Jammu and Kashmir, Controller Legal Metrology, and other senior officials.
Commissioner Secretary Bhagat presented a detailed overview of departmental achievements and future deliverables. The Chief Secretary lauded the department’s strides in digitization, Aadhaar integration, and enhancing transparency in food distribution. He emphasized weeding out undeserving beneficiaries, bolstering consumer protection, and adhering to strict timelines for deliverables.
It was informed that over 102.54 lakh individuals across 25.61 lakh families in J&K benefit from the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Monthly distributions include 3.70 lakh quintals under NFSA, 1.59 lakh under non-NFSA, 1.24 lakh under PMGKAY, and 0.20 lakh under SAAY. J&K has achieved 100% Aadhaar seeding of ration cards, with 96.55% authenticated transactions, ensuring robust transparency. Of the 6611 sale outlets, 6362 are operational through e-PoS devices. AAY covers 2.21 lakh families (8.76 lakh beneficiaries) receiving 35 kg food grains free monthly, while PHH includes 14.39 lakh families (58.63 lakh beneficiaries), and NPHH 8.11 lakh families (31.80 lakh beneficiaries), receiving grains at subsidized rates. Key reforms under SMART-PDS include complete FPS automation, digitized databases, biometric authentication, migration to the RCMS portal, and ongoing integration of migrant ration cards. The department also operates multiple grievance redressal platforms like JK-Grams, toll-free helplines, and WhatsApp numbers. Strict penal provisions have been implemented to curb black-marketing and diversion of food grains, with fines up to Rs 8,000/quintal and penalties for supervisory lapses. Future goals include 100% e-KYC saturation by December 2025, full migrant ration card integration by November 2025, departmental reorganization, and infrastructure upgrades like the CUF at Bajalta and Srinagar storage facilities. The Legal Metrology Department reported 20,455 inspections, 242 awareness camps, 1256 challans, and Rs 182.51 lakh in revenue. Its core mandate includes verification of weights/measures, regulation of packaged commodities, E-commerce monitoring, and consumer grievance redressal. The Chief Secretary emphasized consumer-centric governance and timely execution of reforms for better service delivery.
