KOCHI: The state government on Monday told the Kerala High Court that post implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, only an authorised agency defined under the Act could take delivery of foodgrains from FCI godown.
In an affidavit submitted before the court, Senior Superintendent, Commissioner of Civil Supplies, S S Anidath stated that wholesale ration distributors licensed under Kerala Rationing Order, 1966, could not be deemed authorised agencies under the targeted public distribution system. It added that NFSA defined authorised agency as concerned department of the state government or a body corporate or a company owned by it or a cooperative.
“Thus, delivery of foodgrains from Central government FCI godown and delivery of foodgrains to entitled customers can only be done via Civil Supplies Department or a government-owned body or its own company or a body corporate.
The state government has identified Supplyco (Civil Supplies Corporation) as the authorised agency as per an October, 2016, order and would also provide its own depot at the block level in accordance with NFSA provisions,” stated the affidavit, which was filed in response to a petition by Ambujakshi Amma of Muvattupuzha and others challenging the decision to cancel authorised wholesale dealer licenses under Kerala Rationing Order, 1966, under the guise of implementing NFSA provisions.
They had submitted that most licences were continuing since the introduction of rationing system in the state.
The government said from November, 2016, it was taking deliveries of entire foodgrains allocation by Central government through concerned district supply officers.