Regional Camp on NFSA 2013 held at Shangpung village

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 15, 2024

To enhance awareness and effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, the first Regional Camp for the Khasi-Jaintia Hills Region was held at Moolibang Community Hall, Shangpung Village. The event was organized by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), West Jaintia Hills District.

Deputy Commissioner BS Sohliya, IAS, welcomed attendees and outlined the objective of the camp. Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Comingone Ymbon, and Chairman of the State Food Corporation, PS Thangkhiew, were present at the event.

In his address, Minister Ymbon emphasized the importance of educating beneficiaries about their rights under the NFSA, linking Aadhaar with ration cards, and ensuring transparency in the distribution system. He urged village headmen to address grievances and requested well-off beneficiaries to voluntarily withdraw from the system to benefit more deserving households. The Minister highlighted that failing to link Aadhaar with ration cards could result in losing entitlements and stressed the need for formal complaints to resolve issues.

Addressing delays in issuing new ration cards, he attributed the setback to the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that the census, slated for 2025, would address pending issues.

Chairman P.S. Thangkhiew encouraged beneficiaries to report irregularities in the distribution process through various grievance mechanisms, including the Deputy Commissioners’ offices, helplines, and online portals. He assured that strict action would be taken against any violations.

SK War from the Food Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs department provided an in-depth presentation on the NFSA, explaining Aadhaar seeding for improved efficiency and transparency. He urged citizens to actively participate in the seeding process to eliminate duplication and ensure targeted benefits.

Participants were informed about the complaint mechanisms, including the toll-free number 1967, WhatsApp (+919402327737), and the Meghalaya Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (megPGRAMS) at www.megpgrams.gov.in. Complaints can also be filed directly with District Grievance Redressal Officers (DGO) and Assistant Grievance Redressal Officers (AGRO).

Officials, including Aditya Verma, IAS, Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar) of East Jaintia Hills District, and AL Bareh, MCS, Assistant Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills District, emphasized collaboration for effective NFSA implementation. They highlighted challenges in raising awareness about Aadhaar-linking and shared efforts to educate the public.

The Member Secretary of the Meghalaya State Food Commission, DM Suja, MCS, and Member Ravi Gurung also addressed the gathering.

To promote awareness, Josephas Thongni and his team from West Khasi Hills District performed a song focused on Aadhaar linking, creatively conveying its importance to attendees.