LA passes CAPD grants SMART card service on anvil for CAPD consumers: Zulfikar

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 3/27/2015 4:10:21 PM

`GPRs trackers to be installed in vehicles carrying foodgrains’

JAMMU, Mar 26: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD), Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali Thursday announced that as a part of modernization process of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department, the government would introduce SMART card service for CAPD consumers on the pattern of Chhattisgarh. In this connection, a committee would visit Chattisgarh to study the project, he said.
“Besides, the government would install GPRs trackers in vehicles carrying foodgrains and introduce electronic weighing machines and electronic transfer of money in the accounts of dealers to improve the system. On the whole the government would spend Rs 74 Cr on the modernization of CA&PD department to ensure transparent and accountable public delivery system,” he announced.
He was replying to the Demand for Grants of the Department of CA&PD, in the Legislative Assembly. He said that the coalition government was working on a multi-pronged strategy to improve the public distribution system and modernization was a vital step in this direction.
Giving details about the initiatives being taken under the modernization programme, the Minister said end-to-end computerization of TPDS, digitalization of data, computerization of supply demand and management and setting up of transparency portal.
To overcome the shortage of ration, the Minister said that the government was making serious efforts to provide ration to the consumers as per the census of 2011, for which the Chief Minister had already taken up the issue with the central government. Presently, ration was provided to the consumers as per the census of 2001, which was not adequate. He announced that every ration card depot within a radius of 2 kms would cater to minimum 250 ration card holders so that the consumers didn’t have to travel much for getting ration. “We’ll provide six-month ration to depot holders for storage,” he said.
With a view to safeguard interest of consumers, the minister said that the government would focus on proper implementation of Consumer Protection Act 1987, strengthening the District/Divisional Consumer Forums, constitution of State Level Consumer Protection Council, introducing Hoarding and Profiteering Act, Amendment of Brick Kiln Act, regular market checking by the Enforcement Wing and Legal Meteorology, establishment of Laboratories for testing the foodgrains. Besides, the Committees at the District, Sub-Divisional and tehsil level comprising Executive Magistrates, concerned SHOs and CA&PD officers had also been constituted to check the pilferage, black marketing, hoarding and overcharging. The department also established website, announced toll free numbers and set up grievance cells to receive and address the problems of consumers, the minister added.
In order to expand the network of PDS outlets, the Minister said as per 2011 census, the government required 3102 new ration depots. The process for opening these outlets had already been set in motion.
To further streamline the LPG supply, the minister said that 132 new locations had been identified for setting up LPG outlets, out of which 36 had been established.
The minister while welcoming the suggestions of the members said he would consider all these to improve the functioning of the department and sought their support in improving the overall system.
Earlier, the minister moved a Demand for Grant of a sum of Rs 99401.62 lakh to defray the charges which would come in the course of payment during the year ending March 31, 2016 for the departments under his charge.
18 Members took part in discussion on demand of grants including Vikar Rasool Wani, Ajay Nanda, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Abdul Rashid, Abdul Majid Bhat, Rajeev Sharma, G M Saroori, Mohammad Khalil Band, Mohammed Akbar Lone, Raja Manzoor Ahmed Khan, Rakesh Gupta, Altaf Ahmed Wani, Deldan Namgyal, Bashir Ahmed Dar, Mohammed Amin Bhat, Syed Asgar Ali Karbalai, Ravinder Raina and Sheikh Ishfaq Jabar.
Later, the members, who moved the Cut Motions on the Grants, withdrew and the House passed the grants by a voice vote.

 

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