Kohima, April 17 (MExN): Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) today stated that the Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s justification to implement the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in the State only by June 2016 in a phase manner is not “fair.”
In a press release issued by its Press & Media Cell, NVCO pointed out that TR Zeliang had stressed the importance of implementing the NFSA during the 5th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on July 22, 2014, but he is still coming out with justification for not implementing the Act.
The organization also highlighted that Nagaland is the only state in the country that has not implemented the NFSA causing huge loss in terms of thousand metric tonnes (MT) of food grains allocation to the State and also not availing Hill Transport Subsidy. CAG Report 2015 also highlighted misappropriation and loss amounting to Rs.402.66 Crore in Food and Civil Supplies Department, Govt. of Nagaland, it said. Implementing the Act can benefit 47940 AAY, 77,095 BPL and 59,000 APL cardholders in Nagaland, it added.
Further, it was noted that the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan, who was in Nagaland recently, and Joint Secretary of the department expressed regret that Nagaland government was not availing Hill Transport Subsidy, which is meant for every hilly state. In contrary, NVCO stated, TR Zeliang asserted that Hill Transport Subsidies should be released immediately while admitting the receipt of Rs.5.53 crore for digitization under NFSA which had been utilized and also admitted that Nagaland government has not released the 10% of the State share. To avail Hill Transport Subsidy Scheme, the Union Minister said the State government should produce record/evidence such as utilisation certificate, payment vouchers, cheques and accompanying documents as per prescribed format to prove that the subsidy had been utilized, the release said.
The Organisation has reminded the public to raise their voices against the State government for not implementing the Act in the interest of thousands of Nagas who depend on subsidies. It added it may be much more appropriate to hold a public rally without considering the “lame excuses” of State government in failing to implement the Act and “continually indulge in corrupt practices taking advantage of not being implemented.” NFSA is a mechanism to check corrupt practices, wherein the system will be digitized, there will be online allocation, supply chain management, SMS system of relaying information to beneficiaries, etc, NVCO said.
President of NVCO, Kezhokhoto Savi informed that the National Food Security Act, 2013 is a historic step to eradicate hunger which came into effect on September 10, 2013. It was extended to the whole of India with an aim to provide food approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people. The Act will cover 79.83% of people in the rural areas while 61.98% in urban areas. Under the Act, the State Governments shall be responsible for implementing and monitoring the schemes of various ministries and departments of the Central government for ensuring food security to the targeted beneficiaries in their States. It is the duty of the State government under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) to take delivery of food grains from the designated departments of the central government in the State at subsidized prices and to deliver allocated food grains through their authorized agencies at the door-step of each fair price shop, Savi said. The Act provides that every State government shall constitute a State Food Commission for monitoring and review of implementation of the Act. The State Commission shall consist of a chairperson, five other members and a member-secretary. The Act also provides provision for grievances redressal mechanism where the State government shall appoint or designate, for each district, a District Grievance Redressal Officer for expeditious and effective redressal of grievances of the aggrieved persons in matter relating to distribution of entitled food grains or meal and to enforce the entitlement under the Act, he added.
For further queries, one may contact: Nagaland State Consumer Helpline Toll Free No. 1800-345-3701 office situated at Old Assembly Secretariat, Kohima, 9436209438 or mail to kezhokhotosavi@yahoo.com.
.jpg)
.jpg)
