Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 7: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Choudhary Zulfkar Ali has stressed the need for strengthening online mechanism to increase transparency in Public Distribution system and for smooth functioning of the department.
Speaking during a review meeting of the FCS&CA Department here, the Minister said that entire process, from allocation to distribution of essential commodities, alongwith monitoring should be done through online mechanism. He said strengthening of the mechanism would automatically enhance transparency within the department and make the concerned more accountable. Choudhary Zulfkar said that present age is the age of technology where people do most of their things online. He said from banking to shopping, people are using online system, adding that it becomes imperative for the department to bring change and strengthening online mechanism is a step towards that direction. He said the move would not only make the department more efficient in delivering its duties, but with all details available online, it would also keep its consumers informed. Reiterating the need to start online distribution process at the earliest, the Minister said that the aim of the department should be to replace orthodox manual distribution system with online system, and for this concerned agencies need to expedite work. He also directed the concerned to complete work on Supply Chain Management software at the earliest. During the meeting, the Minister was briefed that all stores and offices of the department have already been computerized along with broadband facility. He was further informed that work on automation of fair-price shops is already under process and would be completed soon. Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Shafiq Raina, Director FCS&CA, Jammu, G S Chib, Special Secretary, FCS&CA, Nisar Ahmed Wani and other senior officers of the department attended the meeting. |
