NFSA: Government plans to revamp public distribution system

NFSA: Government plans to revamp public distribution system

KOCHI: With the Centre issuing an ultimatum over non-implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), the government is planning to modernise the public distribution system in the State by equipping the ‘ration shops’ with computer system.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Civil Supplies Minister P Thilothaman said that government was planning to implement the NFSA in the State by March-end.  The initiate requires several reformations so as to reduce discrepancies and curb involvement of middle-men in ration supplies. “As part of reforming the public distribution system, we will computerise the 14,300-odd ration outlets in the state. We are planning to introduce door-to-door delivery and to supply food grains directly from warehouses of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to ration outlets and other government-run outlets. The initiative is expected to eliminate middlemen completely, and ensure effective distribution,” he said.

Another challenge faced by the Department is issuance of rations cards, which is expected to be completed by March 1, 2017. The previous government had prepared a taluk-wise list of ‘priority’ and ‘non-priority’ beneficiaries in the State for implementing the NFSA. However, there was a deluge of complaints with regard to the rankings. Considering such issues, the new government has revised the rankings - the draft of which is expected to be published very soon.

“The beneficiaries will be offered an opportunity to incorporate corrections at the panchayat level, and the district level later. New ration cards will be issued on the basis of the final list to be prepared by the district-level committee headed by the District Collector,” he said. The minister saidthe Civil Supplies Department was planning to procure food grains and other commodities directly from farmers and local mills to reduce the prices. He claimed that local suppliers, especially rice suppliers from Andhra Pradesh, were asked to take part in the tendering process directly.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com