Reviews District-Level Implementation of FPD&CA Department Projects at Kokrajhar
KOKRAJHAR,AUG 3: The Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs Department, government of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Kokrajhar organized a Fair Price Shop (FPS) Sammelan and awareness meeting on departmental aspirational schemes on Sunday at the Bodofa Cultural Complex Auditorium, Chandamari in Kokrajhar.
Kaushik Rai, Minister of Food, Public Distribution & Consumer Affairs, Mines & Minerals, and Barak Valley Development Department, Government of Assam, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest amidst a well attended gathering.
The programme was attended by FPS vendors and Gaon Panchayat-Level Cooperative Societies(GPSS) to deliberate on ensuring essential commodities reach the grassroots beneficiaries effectively.
In his address, Minister Kaushik Rai highlighted the Assam Government’s initiative under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma to provide Masoor Dal (lentils), sugar, and salt at subsidized prices of Rs. 69, Rs. 38, and Rs. 10 per kg per month respectively to ration card beneficiaries starting from October. The distribution will be implemented in two phases across 10 districts initially, followed by the remaining 25 districts by November. In Kokrajhar, the scheme will be rolled out in the second phase in November.
He informed that NAFED has been selected as the supplier of all 3 commodities and in collaboration with Assam State Warehousing Corporation Limited, the GPSS will take the responsibility of transportation and delivery upto FPS.
Quality packaging is being used for the items and FPS vendors are required to display banners with commodity prices mandatorily at shop premises to ensure awareness of beneficiaries, with strict instructions that these items must not be sold in open markets, the Minister informed.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Lawrence Islary, urged all departments and stakeholders to ensure that the aspirational scheme benefit every eligible NFSA household, stressing meticulous monitoring at the village level. Delivering the welcome address, District Commissioner of Kokrajhar, Masanda M. Pertin, emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts at the district and grassroots levels for the successful implementation of these schemes.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation on the operational framework of the distribution mechanism, technological interventions, and role of GPSS as well as FPS was showcased.
Other dignitaries present in the programme included Wadiul Islam, ADC, Kokrajhar; Ractim Buragohain, Joint Secretary, FPD&CA, BTC; Madan Talukdar, Joint Director cum CHD, FPD&CA among others.
Later in the day, a District-Level Review Meeting was held at the Kokrajhar DC Office under the chairmanship of Minister Kaushik Rai and presence of Kokrajhar DC, where concerned officials discussed the status of time bound activities under the FPD&CA Department. The meeting also focused on streamlining PDS operations in the district and to ensure the timely rollout of newly introduced subsidized food items from October 1.
