Srinagar: The incorrect entries in the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) database are largely due to the fact that the authorities have relied on 2001 census rather the one conducted in 2011.
The authorities, it seems, have been so lackadaisical in their approach that they didnt bother to take into account the information as per the 2011 census and it begs attention as to what the department was doing during the previous three years.
Now the state has implemented the Food Security Bill in the state, the entire functioning of the CAPD has been called in question. There is huge discrepancy with respect to the population of the state and also with the identity of the people, an official at the DC office said. The irony is that as the department is busy in giving out ration forms to common people, people are confused what name they are going to write on forms as Muslim man has been given Sikh name and son name is in place of father.
After the process of digitization was completed in 2012, the consumer names were put on list as per 2001 census leaving a gap of almost 15 years in between. More importantly the growth of population has also not been recorded by the department.
On Wednesday CAPD Minister Chaudhary zulfikar Ali said of the 1.19 crore population of the state, 13.77 lakh people falling under AAYY category would get the ration at the rate of Rs 2 per kg of atta and Rs 3 per kg of rice.
The scale of 35 kg per family would be maintained for people coming under AAYY category having a monthly income of Rs 1500.
Under the BPL category, 26.49 lakh families would be benefitted under this scheme. With respect to left out families, government is planning to provide ration at MSP (minimum Support Price) to the consumers.
From Munshies to TSOs and from Director to Chief Minister everyone is liable to answer, Mohammad Farooq Kamili, a Consumer from Hawal.
Food Security Bill is one of the good omens which the state is blessed for, Mohammad Akbar Ganaie, Spl. Secretary to Government said Unfortunately people are not taking it wisely. I know there are a lot of mistakes in the records but people are also to be blamed.
He said the people have to provide correct information. People who have three or four ration cards in their name are protesting because other ration cards which they possess illegally will be discarded, he said. With respect to departmental failures, I think the ground work has not been done when the bill was proposed. But as per fresh orders minimum support price scheme will be implemented for left out families.
For the moment, the Bill remains a bone of contention as political parties are engaged in a blame game.
Whether black marketing will be wiped out or is there worse in store, the functioning of the CAPD where a storekeeper holds 200 trucks ration for self gains remains to be seen.
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