Imphal : The Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD), Manipur on Friday highlighted a series of initiatives to strengthen food security, improve consumer protection and modernise the State’s Public Distribution System (PDS) during the eighth session of the “Meet the Press” programme organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at the DIPR Auditorium, Nityaipat Chuthek, Imphal.
Addressing the media, Y. Nelson, Director, CAF&PD, said the department is implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 to ensure transparent, efficient and accountable distribution of foodgrains across the State. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), free rice has been provided to all NFSA beneficiaries since January 2023, and the scheme has been extended by the Government of India till December 2028.At present, around 21.13 lakh beneficiaries are covered under the scheme through 5.81 lakh ration cards comprising of beneficiaries belonging under AAY & PHH Categories.
Highlighting the department’s digital initiatives, he said all 2,532 Fair Price Shops in the State have been equipped with electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) devices for biometric authentication and real-time monitoring of foodgrain distribution. Aadhaar seeding of ration cards has reached 99.7 per cent, Aadhaar linkage of beneficiaries stands at 99.6 per cent, while nearly 59 per cent of beneficiaries have completed the ongoing e-KYC process. The monthly NFSA allocation of 11,855.740 MT (metric tonnes) of rice.
The One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme enables eligible beneficiaries to access their foodgrain entitlement from any ePOS-enabled Fair Price Shop across the country. Other initiatives, including the Anna Chakra route optimisation system, GPS-based Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) and computerised Supply Chain Management, have strengthened monitoring of foodgrain movement, improved transparency and reduced transportation costs, he said.
The department also informed that a 4 MT-per-hour rice mill under the SASCI Project is nearing completion. The project is expected to strengthen decentralised paddy procurement, provide better returns to local farmers and reduce dependence on rice sourced from outside the State. It further monitors the prices of 18 essential commodities through the State Level Price Monitoring Committee to maintain price stability and protect consumer interests. It also regulates the distribution of petroleum products, LPG and Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), while taking measures against hoarding, adulteration and black marketing. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), 2,28,979 LPG connections have been provided to eligible households across Manipur.
At present, the Manipur State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and eight District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are functioning under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to ensure timely redressal of consumer grievances. The department also highlighted reforms in the Legal Metrology wing, including online verification and registration services under the Ease of Doing Business initiative, a proposal to rename the Weights and Measures Department as the Legal Metrology Department, revision of verification and stamping fees, and the introduction of a single online portal for verification and registration services.
Regular inspections of markets, petrol pumps and LPG distributors are being carried out to ensure compliance with legal standards. Consumer awareness programmes are also organised in schools, colleges and during major festivals such as Emoinu, Ningol Chakouba and Eid to promote awareness of consumer rights and fair-trade practices.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security, improving consumer protection and delivering transparent and efficient public services through greater use of technology across the State.
Sapam .Bishwojit (Deputy Director), Priya Nongmaithem (Financial Advisor), O.Indira Chanu(Jt.Director), K.Rabei, (President of District Committee Imphal), Ngasepam.Ranachandra(ADDM), S Pushpa Devi(Deputy Controller), Sanabam Suraj(Assistant Controller) and H.Bobby (OSD) were the officials concerned who chaired the press meet.
