Major initiatives undertaken by Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs department in 2024 to ensure transparency in ration distribution: Lal Chand Kataruchak
· Successful wheat & paddy procurement seasons ensured
· *Legal Meteorology wing earned Rs. 18.64 Crores*
. Margin Money of depot holders doubled after 8 years
· 100 percent Aadhar saturation achieved
Chandigarh, December 30 (WISHAVWARTA):- The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department had yet another successful year 2024 by undertaking several novel initiatives aimed at ensuring transparency in the functioning of the department. As many as 14420 E-PoS Kits including E-PoS devices and Iris scanners as well as Electronic Weighing Scales were purchased with a view to ensure hassle free distribution of the ration.
Disclosing this, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the tenders have been allotted in order to ensure the proper maintenance of the E-PoS machines and the Electronic Weighing Scales for the period of 5 years. Now, an E-PoS kit has been provided at each of the ration depots besides making sure to install Electronic Weighing Scales at these depots.
He further said that in 2016, the margin money of the depot holders was Rs. 50 per quintal which has been increased to Rs. 90 Per Quintal and the increase has been implemented from April 2024. As a result, Rs. 38.43 crore stands released in this regard, said the Minister adding that this step would benefit 14400 ration depot holders in the State.
Besides, the department ensured a successful Rabi season by procuring 124.57 Lakh Metric Tonne (LMT) wheat for the central pool and crediting a sum of Rs. 28, 340.95 Crore in the accounts of 9 lakh farmers. Similarly, during the Kharif season, the department procured 172.93 LMT of paddy and credited an amount of Rs. 40,119.76 Crore into the accounts of approximately 8 lakh farmers. Also, till September 2024, 44,20,826 Quintals of Wheat was disbursed free of cost to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Taking strong steps to protect the interests of consumers, the Legal Meteorology wing earned revenue of Rs. 18.64 Crore by initiating action against those violating the principle of selling the goods in correct weight and quantity. Further, the 100 percent Aadhar Saturation was achieved and as per the Aadhar Saturation report of the UIDAI Dated November 11th, 2024, the State of Punjab ranks 7th amongst the States/UTs of the entire country.
