Morung Express News
Kohima | February 23
The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on February 22, directed the State respondents to file a comprehensive affidavit showing whether the Nagaland State Food Commission is fully functioning.
‘The respondents also shall also indicate in their affidavit as to whether District Grievance Redressal Officers have been appointed for each district or not,’ stated the order issued by the Division Bench of Justice Songkhupchung Serto and Justice Kakheto Sema.
Resuming the hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) relating to the constitution of the Commission on the February 21, the Bench was informed that State Food Commission has been constituted by the State Government with the appointment of the Chairperson and other members.
However, as the Government Advocate was uncertain as to whether the Commission has officially started functioning or not and whether it is provided with the required staff as per the provisions of Rule 12, Schedule 3 of the Nagaland Food Security Rules, 2016, the direction was made.
As per the rule, the Commission will be aided by three administrative staff for its functioning comprising of one stenographer, one LDA-cum-Computer Assistant and one Office Peon-cum-Chowkidar.
The Union of India represented by Secretary, Ministry Of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; State of Nagaland Represented by the Chief Secretary; General Manager Food Corporation of India Regional Dimapur; Commissioner and Secretary, Department Of Food And Civil Supplies, Nagaland; and Director, FCS are respondents of the PIL.
It must be noted here that the commission was set up in November 24, 2022 with Medokul Sophie as Chairperson Ghovili P Achumi and Sethrichem Sangtam as members.
According to a release from the State DIPR on December 15, the main function of the commission is to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the NFSA-2013 in the State and advise the Government, their agencies and NGOs involved in the implementation of food and nutrition related schemes.
In addition, the commission will also inquire into the violation of the entitlement under such schemes either suo motu or on receipt of complaints, it said, based on a letter issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
Complaints and grievances by beneficiaries can be addressed either directly to the Commission or to the District Grievance Redressal Officer, who is the ADC Hq of a District, it informed.
The Advisor, F&CS, LM&CP and Taxes, Pukhayi Sumi declared the start of the functioning of the commission from November 24, it added.
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