The State food and civil supply department officers claim that their preparations regarding the implementation of National Food Security (NFS) scheme are now in the last stage. It was earlier announced that it would be implemented from October 1. But the date was deferred presumably owing to things not in their right places. Things not going as fast as they should, the department concerned is wary of announcing a fresh date for its launching.
Foodgrain allocated under the scheme started reaching the godowns from FCI. Those owning Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets may start procuring food grains under the scheme from the next week, said PS Pangti, officer of Dehradun food and civil supply, on Friday.
The officials have been deployed to inspect the godowns to ensure the food grains reach the godowns from FCI even after their inspection.
However, Uttaranchal Fair Price Dealers Association (UFPDA) president Jitendra Gupta alleged that the lists containing the names of the intended beneficiaries as provided by Dehradun food and civil supply department to the dealers are faulty. “Corrections are being done now,” he said. He further said that the department officers would start making ration cards under State Food Security Scheme from next week. The families having annual income of Rs five lakh and less will be issued ration cards under the scheme. However, as of now, the beneficiaries would get rations from the PDS outlets against their old ration cards.
The department has already launched a toll free number 1800-180-2000 to facilitate the people to register complaints in regards to irregularities in the execution of scheme in the state.
Under this scheme, the Central Government would provide 20741.97 metric ton of rice and 12712.83 metric ton of wheat for the state.
Notably, if National Food Security (NFS) Act is implemented in the state around 62 lakh population would be covered under it and they would be given five kgs of food grains, comprising three kilos of rice and two kilos of wheat per person at the rate of Rs three and Rs two per kg for rice and wheat respectively.