Srinagar, Oct 16, KNT: Jammu Kashmir RTI Movement Friday staged a unique protest in Srinagar against Food and Civil Supplies Department.
The protest was led by RTI activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat. The protesters were carrying placards and public address system.
The protesters told news agency KNT that around the year 2017-18 J&K Government (Food and Civil Supplies Department) procured electronic point of sale (ePoS) machines for all government run ration depots across J&K. The then Minister for Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfiqar termed introduction of ePoS machines as one of the biggest reforms in bringing transparency in the PDS, but he could not introduce the PoS machines at the ration stores in spite of huge money utilized to procure them.
“It took the Government more than 2 years to actually put these machines into use at ration depots. The credit goes to the Administrative Secretary of the Department.”
“Some months back when our volunteers exposed a PDS scam in Loolipora village in Chadoora Tehsil of District Budgam, the Government then decided to make effective use of ePoS machines and aadhar linking all consumers.”
The protesters said that Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement has been constantly updating the Govt about the mismanagement and ‘corrupt practices’ of the employees of his department. Administrative Department took some steps like constituting an inquiry committee, penalizing some officials, suspending few as well, but lot more needs to be done.
“Secretary Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs directed the Directors of the department Jammu / Kashmir divisions to ensure all transactions are done through electronic point of sale device (e- PoS). Secretary informed the Directors that FPS automation was to be achieved by 2019 December which was then extended to March 2020 but the same was achieved only recently.”
“When we see on the ground many storekeepers are still reluctant to use PoS machines. On this World Food Day Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement impresses up Govt to ensure digital point of sale machines along with weighing machines are put into use, Rate List is kept available in all Ration Depots and New survey be taken up for including poor and downtrodden under BPL and AAY list,” the protesters said. (KNT)
