Food Commission has asked for proper implementation of Orissa PDS (Control) Order 2016
Bhubaneswar: Expressing dissatisfaction on poor implementation of Orissa PDS (Control) Order 2016, the Orissa State Food Commission (OSFC) has asked all district Collectors to replace private dealers engaged in Public Distribution System (PDS) with institutional dealers by
March 15.
While notifying the Order (March 16, 2016), the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Department had made it very clear that all such private Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers are to be replaced by institutional dealers within a period of two years i.e. by the March 15, 2018.
However, the commission observed that the licensing authorities (government officers) have virtually forgotten the time-bound activity.
“Therefore, you are requested to impress upon all licensing authorities working in your district to discharge their duties and responsibilities with utmost sincerity. It would be just and proper for you to ensure that not a single private dealer is allowed to operate any FPS beyond March 15, 2018,” OSFC chairperson Ranglal Jamuda has written to all district Collectors.
As per the order, ADMs of five municipal corporations – Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Cuttack and Berhempur – and sub-collectors of all other sub-divisions have been empowered as licensing authority for the PDS.
It was also mentioned in the order that it is mandatory for the licensees to display certain information on a notice board at a prominent place in their
PDS shops.
“However, it is being observed that the following information is invariably missing on such notice boards: List of all ration cards attached to the shop, timing of opening and closing of the shop and name and address of the authority before whom grievance may be made or complaint petition can be filed,” Jamuda
pointed out.
The authorities are supposed to conduct surprise inspections in at least 2 per cent of FPS within their jurisdiction and report their findings to the commission.
It is really a matter of concern that not a single licensing authority took this assignment seriously, read the letter.
Meanwhile, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro said that all FPS in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are being run by private dealers or Self Help Groups (SHGs).
According to sources, there are about 12,600 FPS in the state and about 6,000 of these are being run by private dealers, while remaining are managed by concerned gram panchayats. In the coastal districts, almost all the licensees of FPS are private dealers.
PNN