Assam Minister of Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Kaushik Rai said the ongoing ration card verification process in the State must be completed by July 31 to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries are included and that the Anna Seva Abhiyan continues to reach those genuinely in need.
“Through Aadhaar-based verification and e-KYC review, the cases of beneficiaries who have obtained ration cards but have not availed free rice for six months or more must be carefully examined. This will help create opportunities for genuinely needy families to receive ration cards and benefit from the public distribution system,” the Minister stated, while addressing a state-level departmental review and interactive meeting with officials of all levels of the Department at the GMC Auditorium in Guwahati on Wednesday.
The Minister further said that all concerned must work with commitment and dedication to achieve the targets set for issuing ration cards to persons suffering from various critical illnesses and other deserving beneficiaries.
In his address, the Minister observed that Assam has become the first State in the country to implement the SMART Public Distribution System (SMART PDS), owing to the sincerity, dedication and coordinated efforts of officials and employees at every level of the Department, including Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers.
Congratulating all stakeholders, he stated that public confidence in the Department has now been restored, thereby increasing the responsibility of everyone associated with its functioning.
Emphasising the need for effective monitoring of paddy procurement centres, the Minister directed officials to ensure the constitution of committees for every procurement centre by the first week of August.
He stressed that the additional incentive provided by the State Government over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the Central Government must reach only genuine farmers.
The Minister also directed the concerned authorities to ensure that Fair Price Shop dealers receive their due commissions by the 20th of every month. He further called for a review of inactive Fair Price Shops and appropriate departmental action wherever necessary.
Referring to the Government’s decision to resume the distribution of pulses and sugar from August, he instructed all concerned to ensure that no shortcomings remain in the preparations for the smooth implementation of the programme.
Reiterating the Government’s firm commitment to maintaining transparency in food security initiatives, public distribution systems and paddy procurement operations, as well as ensuring the effective implementation of welfare schemes, the Minister urged departmental officials to work collectively as “Team Assam” and ensure the successful execution of all programmes and activities within the stipulated timelines.
Minister Kaushik Rai Reviews PDS, Pushes Transparency in Ration Distribution and Paddy Procurement
