Srinagar, April 07 2020
Director Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Kashmir, Bashir Ahmad Khan today said that following the spontaneous lockdown due to outbreak of pandemic COVID-19, nearly one lakh households have been delivered two months advance food grain at their door steps.
He said that the distribution process has started in all the districts of Kashmir division in accordance with a proper roadmap formulated with all the Deputy Commissioners and different officers of the department.
The Director said that as on date 50% of ration has already been distributed among the consumers and the rest of the part will be distributed in coming days.
He further informed that under Prime Minister’s Gareeb Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) the department will provide 5 kgs free of cost ration to every IAY and PHH beneficiary for the months of April, May and June at their doorsteps.
He said that the department has ample stock of food grains in place which includes 61592 Mts of rice and 2222 Mts of wheat. He said that incase the situation prolongs the department can supply for another two months to meet the requirement of consumers. Likewise, petroleum products including cooking gas and other oil products are plentiful. Home delivery of cooking gas is also being carried on routine basis, he added.
Regarding tackling of the present pandemic situation, he said that keeping in view the safety of the people and employees, the department has issued certain precautionary measures to stop the COVID-19 spread and the same is being followed by the ground staff in letter and spirit while distributing food grains. He appealed people to avoid gathering at the ration shops which only hampers the distribution process.
To curb overpricing and food adulteration, he said that market squads are on job in every district to keep check on price list and food quality. Similarly, in Srinagar alone there are two squads in north and south zone respectively, he said.
The Director appreciated the job done by the frontline workers in any exigency be it Covid-19 or any other natural calamity.
