KL Report

SRINAGAR

Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department (CA&PD), Kashmir Bashir Ahmad Khan Monday appealed people to fill up the declaration forms in order avail benefits under National Food Security Act.

Addressing a news conference in Srinagar, Director CA&PD said that National Food Security Act is going to be implemented with the next two months in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and for that purpose the Department has issued a two-page declaration form seeking the details of income and land from the people.

“We have divided people into four categories, viz: ‘Extreme Below Poverty Line (EBPL), Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL) and Tax payers or those who have sufficient means of income. Those who fall in EBPL will get ration free of cost while people living BPL will get a kilogram of rice for Rs 3 and wheat for Rs 2 per month. People living APL mostly middle class people will get food grains on non-subsidized rates while the last category of people including tax prayers, bureaucrats and those who have sufficient means of income will get food grains in Open Market System,” Khan said.

He said that a consumer must know his rights and there is a dire need to create awareness amoung people about the new National Food Security Bill.

Responding to a query, Director CA&PD, Bashir Ahmed Khan said that about 75 percent rural and 50 percent urban population will get benefits under Food Security Act. He said that people have to provide correct information about land and income which will be cross checked by different departments and officials including Rural and Development Department and Tehsildar concerned.

“Those people who have not collected their forms can collect them at our Fair Price Shops, Store Rooms or from the concerned AD office. We appeal people to fill up these forms in their interest and avail benefit under this new Act,” he said.

Khan said that they have launched ‘HP ANY TIME’ which will enable HP and other Customers to book refills and obtain confirmation round the clock. “A consumer has to dial our customer care number 9086023456 and he will get home delivery after giving his consumer number. We are ensuring that a consumer gets his cylinder in his kitchen and our staff fits the cylinder as well,” he said.

He said that CA&PD department is mulling to install and erect signboards at every nook and corner, which will depict the actual rate list of all the food items, and in case of any complaint, people can call on 2455019 and 9419004033. “Just call me on this number and you will see a big change. Immediate action will be taken against the offenders,” he said adding that he will issue a circular directing Petrol Pump owners to keep their pumps open round the clock.

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