Kaushik Rai reviews Food and Public Distribution System across Barak Valley

way2barak, July 1 :— Minister for Food, Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, Housing & Urban Affairs and Cooperation, Kaushik Rai, chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department covering Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts at the new conference hall of the District Commissioner’s Office here on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by the MLAs of three districts, senior civil and departmental officials to assess the functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS), to review the implementation of welfare programmes and examine measures to make public service delivery more efficient, transparent and citizen friendly across the Barak Valley.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the timely distribution of foodgrains under the Public Distribution System, the availability of essential commodities, the functioning of Fair Price Shops, beneficiary coverage, and the progress of various public welfare schemes being implemented by the department. Discussions were also held on consumer grievance redressal, service delivery standards, monitoring mechanisms and the need for greater accountability at every level.

Officials from Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi presented district-wise updates on the implementation of departmental programmes, operational challenges and measures adopted to improve service delivery. The Minister examined the progress made in each district and sought detailed feedback from field officials on issues affecting beneficiaries.

Emphasising that uninterrupted supply of ration materials remains a priority, Minister Kaushik Rai directed officials to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements on schedule without inconvenience. He also stressed the importance of maintaining complete transparency in the distribution process, strengthening supervision and promptly addressing complaints received from the public.

The Minister instructed departmental officers to work in close coordination with the district administrations and elected representatives so that services reach people in a faster, more efficient and accountable manner. He said continuous monitoring and regular field inspections would help improve the overall performance of the department and enhance public confidence in the system.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Kaushik Rai said that the Public Distribution System is one of the Government’s most important welfare mechanisms and must function with complete transparency, efficiency and accountability. He stated that the timely delivery of foodgrains and other essential commodities to every eligible beneficiary should remain the department’s foremost priority. The Minister directed officials to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply chain and that all Fair Price Shops adhere strictly to the prescribed norms and distribution schedules.

Reviewing the performance of the three districts, he asked departmental officers to intensify field inspections, maintain close coordination with the district administrations and respond promptly to public grievances. He said regular monitoring, effective supervision and greater use of digital systems would help improve transparency and eliminate irregularities in the distribution process. He also emphasised the need to create greater public awareness about consumer rights and various welfare schemes so that eligible citizens are able to access government benefits without difficulty.

The Minister said that the Government of Assam is committed to delivering citizen centric services and ensuring that every welfare initiative reaches its intended beneficiaries in a transparent and time-bound manner. He urged all officers to work with dedication, sensitivity and a sense of responsibility while implementing government programmes, adding that efficient public service delivery remains a key priority of the Government.

Among those present were Silchar MLA Dr. Rajdeep Roy, Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala, Dholai MLA Amiya Kanti Das, Borkhola MLA Kishore Nath, Katigorah MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Hailakandi MLA Dr. Milan Das, Commissioner for Food & Public Distribution Hemanta Bhuyan , Cachar District Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of Assam Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. Diganta Das and senior officers of the department from the three districts.

Later, after the review meeting, Minister Kaushik Rai also spoke to media persons and said the review had provided a comprehensive assessment of the functioning of the Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Department in Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts. He informed that district wise progress on ration distribution, implementation of welfare schemes, functioning of Fair Price Shops, consumer grievance redressal and overall departmental performance had been reviewed in detail. Necessary directions had been issued to the concerned officials to resolve operational issues promptly and further improve service delivery.The Minister said the department would continue to conduct regular monitoring and review meetings to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency at every level. He expressed confidence that the decisions taken during the meeting would further strengthen the Public Distribution System and enable eligible beneficiaries across the Barak Valley to receive quality services in a timely and hassle free manner.

This is stated in a press release issued by the Regional Office of Information & Public Relations, Barak Valley Zone, Silchar, Assam.