MMSFES Rolled Out to Supplement NFSA in J&K
CM Stresses Monitoring, Quality Control in Public Distribution System
Srinagar, July 1, KNT: The State Government on Friday formally rolled out the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme to supplement the National Food Security Act and widen the ambit of food security across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti launched the scheme at a function held at SKICC here, in the presence of members of the Council of Ministers, legislators, senior officers and beneficiaries. The scheme was simultaneously launched in Jammu by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh in the presence of Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta.
The decision to introduce the scheme was taken by the State Cabinet in its meeting held on April 11, 2016. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the scheme would ensure additional food grains to families covered under Priority Households and Non-Priority Households categories at a uniform scale of 5 kilograms per soul per ration card, over and above the entitlement under NFSA. Antyodaya Anna Yojana families will continue to receive 35 kilograms per family.
She said over 85 lakh souls comprising more than 21 lakh families would be covered under the scheme. Under NFSA, subsidised rations are already being provided to more than 119 lakh beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister called for strict monitoring to ensure quality and timely distribution of food grains, directing the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department to establish an effective grievance redressal mechanism. She also asked Deputy Commissioners to conduct surprise inspections at the district level to prevent irregularities.
Minister for CA and PDD Choudhary Zulfkar Ali said the scheme would entail an additional annual burden of Rs 358 crore on the State exchequer. He said food grains would be procured from the Food Corporation of India and that vehicles transporting supplies would be fitted with GPS tracking systems to ensure transparency. Rate lists would be displayed at Fair Price Shops and new outlets would be opened in unserved areas.
The Chief Minister formally handed over ration under the new regime to beneficiaries from Dhobi Mohalla, Shalimar, and flagged off trucks carrying food grains to different parts of Kashmir for distribution. [KNT]
