All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association members during its State Working Committee Meeting at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on November 22.
Dimapur, November 24 (MExN): The All Nagaland Fair Price Shop Association (ANFPSA) on Saturday highlighted a range of operational issues, including unexplained deductions in payments and irregularities in the public distribution system, during its State Working Committee Meeting.
The meeting, held at Hotel Saramati, was attended by representatives from all 15 district unions affiliated with the ANFPSA, stated a press release.
A key concern raised was the financial hardship faced by Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers. The association lamented that dealers do not receive their transportation and handling commission regularly and strongly objected to “unexplained high percentage deductions” made at different levels during payment.
The house demanded that the state government release all pending bills without further delay.
Operational inconsistencies were also flagged. The ANFPSA called for uniform guidelines from the food and civil supplies department for both rural and urban sectors regarding the use of offline and online systems. It pointed out that the practice of issuing rice once every two or three months in some districts, despite the mandatory Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) system, indicates “irregularities in the department.”
“The Carried Balance and billing is determined based on EPoS records, which is a disturbing concern of every FPS in the state,” the association stated in its release.
Other demands put forward by the dealers included - a minimum of 25 days for beneficiaries to collect their rations to facilitate proper identification through EPoS machines; Installation of weighbridges in all districts to fix the problem of transit leakage, for which FPS dealers are currently bearing the burden; Issuance of Tide-Over or GHH cards through FPS against surrendered AAY/PHH ineligible beneficiaries; Ensuring each PDC (Public Distribution Centre) delivers accurate net-weight rice, including the weight of sacks, to FPS dealers. A specific complaint about a deduction of 10 kg per AAY beneficiary in Mokokchung District was reported; Addressing the issue of several beneficiaries, whose names appear on ration cards, not receiving their rice allocations; and Regular issuance of Dal and Sugar to beneficiaries.
The association also urged the government to make the locations and prescribed rates of Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) shops known to beneficiaries for their convenience.
The house also decided that FPS dealers will not download truck-chits or distribute rice in the coming months if the state food and civil supplies department fails to resolve the issue of carried-over/carried balances and other long-pending problems.
The house endorsed its office to take up the matter with the department at the earliest.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the association where members deliberated on the “ground realities” faced by the dealers.
After a thorough discussion on the “ground realities” faced by the dealers, the association also resolved to urge the department for the immediate release of pending bills and to ensure systemic improvements for the smooth and effective functioning of the Public Distribution System (PDS).
