F&S Minister issues directions to the Commissioner to ensure the deployment of Civil Defence Volunteers in each FPS
Kejriwal Government has already increased margin money for foodgrains from Rs.70 per quintal to Rs. 200, one of the highest amounts being paid in any state of India: Imran Hussain
NEW DELHI:
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Shri Imran Hussain met with a delegation of the Delhi Ration Dealers Association. The office-bearers of the association handed a letter to the Minister and apprised him of their grievances about the delay in receiving their margin money. Office bearers of the Ration Dealers Association urged that their balance amount be released on time.
The association members further requested the F&S Minister to look into their demand for a rise in the ration quota under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme. They also requested for the exploration of feasibility of inter-circle transfer of ration between the different districts in Delhi. The advantage of such a mechanism would be the optimum utilisation of ration, as a Fair Price Shop (FPS) with additional stock will be allowed to transfer its surplus ration to another FPSs that is having a less quota of ration.
The members of the association also asked the Minister to continue the services of the Civil Defence Volunteers at the FPSs. The Civil Defence Volunteers were deployed by the Delhi Government during the COVID-19 pandemic period for effective management at Fair Price shops and also to ensure social distancing norms and orderly distribution of free rations to the beneficiaries. These volunteers assist in managing the crowds at ration shops and ensure that the beneficiaries follow Covid appropriate behaviour when they come to the FPS shops. They also help the elderly and the differently-abled beneficiaries in getting their entitled quota of ration.
The Minister listened to the grievances of the ration dealer association and assured that the matters will be addressed expeditiously. The Minister took their request into consideration and directed the Commissioner (Food & Supply) to ensure that the margin money for the dealers is released on time. Shri Imran Hussain further said that under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Government has already increased margin money from Rs.70 per quintal to Rs.200 per quintal of foodgrains, which is one of the highest margin amounts being paid in any state of India. He also directed the Commissioner(F&S) to ensure the deployment of Civil Defence Volunteers in each FPS and also directed for proper monitoring of their attendance for the smooth and orderly distribution of rations.
Shri Imran Hussain added, “Due to the smooth and orderly distribution of free ration under the ONORC scheme, Delhi has become a benchmark in the country. I am delighted to inform you that Delhi is among the topmost performing states in ration distribution to the migrants under the ONORC scheme. During the month of March 2022 more than 2.15 Lakh ration beneficiaries obtained ration under the ONORC scheme portability. I have directed the ration dealers to ensure the display of eligibility information related to ONORC through display boards prominently, so that migrant beneficiaries can get their entitled ration.”