Assam Govt to provide 5 kg of rice who do not have ration cards under NFSA

GUWAHATI: With a view to provide succour to the poor and destitute people during the extended lockdown period, the Assam Government has decided to provide 5 kg rice per month per member per family who do not have ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) but are genuinely poor. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said this while reviewing preparedness of Kamrup district administration to deal with the coronavirus pandemic at a meeting held in the Conference Room of Deputy Commissioner’s office at Amingaon here on Monday.

Moreover, to take stock of the availability of food grains in the State, the Chief Minister visited godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI) located at Noonmati and Changsari as well as Changsari Railway Yard, and also held a meeting with FCI officials at Noonmati. The FCI officials informed the Chief Minister that the present stock available at FCI godowns could fulfill the food grain demand of people of the State for next two and a half months.

Chief Minister Sonowal while chairing the review meeting at Kamrup DC office asked the district administration, government departments and the public representatives to put up collective efforts to tide over the challenge posed by coronavirus outbreak. He directed the Agriculture and Veterinary department to work in close coordination with the Food and Civil Supply (F&CS) department to devise an innovative strategy to ensure smooth supply of essential commodities. He also asked the officials of F&CS department to regularly interact with wholesalers to check price rise of essential goods.

Further stating that the government would not tolerate any misappropriation of public fund and food grains meant for the poor, the Chief Minister asked the police to take prompt action against all unscrupulous elements. He also directed the police to act swiftly against misuse of social media so that no one can spread rumour and incite violence disturbing peace and harmony in society.

Moreover, underlining the importance of strict adherence to social distancing in all walks of life to defeat coronavirus pandemic, Chief Minister Sonowal directed the officials of Agriculture department to see that farmers maintain this norm while carrying out farm activities. He also asked them to regularly interact with farmers and motivate them to take up farming in an expeditious manner.

Further advocating door-to-door delivery of vegetables, egg, fish and meat etc., the Chief Minister instructed the Agriculture, Veterinary, Supply and Fishery departments to prepare a roadmap and take help of NSS, NYK and SHGs in this regard. He also asked the Transport department to ensure proper hygiene of workers engaged in loading and unloading of goods at FCI godowns and provide them face masks.

Highlighting the role of public representatives at this hour of distress, the Chief Minister urged the MLAs present in the review meeting to guide the government machinery in maintaining an uninterrupted supply chain of essential commodities and bring to notice any anomaly observed by them in this regard for prompt corrective action. He also directed the Kamrup DC to regularly convene review meetings with all emergency departments in presence of MLAs to give more teeth to the administration in its fight against coronavirus, stated a release.

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