'File formal complaints for redressal on NFSA'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, July 09 2016 : If any consumer in the State has any problem regarding the implementation of the National Food Security Act they should file their formal complaint in the appropriate forum, said M Yaiskul Meitei, Director of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of Manipur.

He was addressing a press meet organized by DIPR yesterday as part of an exercise to publicize the activities and achievements of the various departments of the Government of Manipur.

For more efficient and transparent implementation of the NFSA in the State, Addl Deputy Commissioner posted in each district has been desig- nated as District Grievance Redressal Officer.

This would go a long way in swift and effective redressal of com- plaints of the consumers.

Besides , to ensure account- ability, and as a step to check leakages in public distribution system, monitoring/vigilance committees have been set up at state level, district level, block level and FPS level, he said.

He was responding to que- ries of media persons who raised the various complaints of consumers not getting their full quota of rice or of non issue of cards among others.

The Director informed that as mandated by Section 16 read with Section 18 of National Food Security Act, 2013 and in pursuance of the approval by the State Cabinet, the Manipur Disputes Redressal Commission has been set up with its office located at the Old Assembly Complex which has been functioned as the State Food Commission.

Fur- ther a helpline has been set up which the consumers can con- tact at 0385-2455496 and toll free 1800-345-3821. The National Food Security Act was launched in the State by Chief Minister O Ibobi on April 25 this year.

Though upto 87 pc of the total popula- tion of the State which comes to 24,84,540 can be covered under NFSA, at present only 74.64 pc ie 21,31,652 comes under the purview of this Act.

With the State Government re- questing the Government of India to convert quota of wheat entitled for Manipur into rice, the State was allocated a total 11796.56 MT of rice from April 2016 onwards.

Of this total quantity, 2200.415 MT is meant for AAY category while 9596 MT is set aside for pri- ority.

Monthly Utilization Certificates for targeted PDS foodgrains and other PDS items are jointly signed by an NGO/SHG member operating in the particular FPS jurisdic- tion/Up-Pradhan or Member and Panchayat Secretary of the Gram Panchayat/Chairman or Secretary of Village Authority of the village and SDO/BDO concerned.

On the basis of the joint UCs furnished by the SDO/BDO concerned, the DC issues UC for the village and FPS concerned at the time of placing subsequent indents to the Directorate of CAF&PD.

The another effort to totally plug all loopholes which re- sults in leakages at every step leading up to the beneficiaries, the department is in the process of implementing end to end computerization of the Public Distribution System.

The project is to be taken up with the Government of India bear- ing 90 pc of the cost and the State government putting up the rest 10 pc.

The Govern- ment of India has already released 60 pc of its share.

One of the most important compo- nent of this scheme is Fair Price Automation in which Adhaar based PoS machines would be used to record the sales and receipt of foodgrains.

On the distribution of sugar under PDS, the department procures 1753 MT of sugar from the open market at the rate of Rs 37.75 per kg and is distributed to the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 20.25 per kg which is made possible as a result of a subsidy of Rs 18.50 per kg.

There is likelihood of a fluctuation in this rate as the department had issued fresh tender for procurement of sugar from firms across the country, the director informed the me- dia.

Coming to the distribution of SK oil, the Government of India allocates 1764 KL to the state through IOC.

This is re- duced by 5 pc in every quarterly allocation by excluding those families which already have got LPG connection.

The idea be- hind this being that with greater penetration of LPG in house- holds, there is a decline in the demand for kerosene for both for cooking and lighting pur- poses.

Further, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is planning to introduce Direct Benefit Transfer for SK oil also.

The Directorate has over the years also enhanced the storage capacity of foodgrains by con- structions godowns at various districts of the State.

The State Government at present has taken up construction of seven stor- age godowns having a total capacity of 11,500 Mt during 2011-12 and 2013-13.Two of these, one in Tamenglong HQ and Moreh (Chandel) have been completed.

The completion of these godowns will significantly increase the PDS system in the State to the benefit of the most deserving beneficiaries.

One of the major challenge ahead of the Department of CAF&PD would the proper im- plementation of the NSFA in the days ahead.

For this to hap- pen, it has to seriously address the various issues raised by the public in the past few months since its launching in the state.

Joint Director, CAF & PD and Nodal Officer (NFSA), Ranjan Yumnam also attended.

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