Govt would provide additional food grains during Eid, Muharram festivities: Satish Sharma

SRINAGAR : Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services & Sports, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Wednesday chaired a review meeting to assess the preparedness and ensure seamless availability of essential commodities and public services ahead of the forthcoming Eid and Muharram observance across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Commissioner Secretary, FCS&CA, Saurabh Bhagat, VC LCMA, MD RTC, RTO Kashmir, Senior officers of the administration, officers of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, representatives of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), Legal Metrology Organization (LMO), Food Safety Department, PDD, R&B, PHE, SMC, district administration and other concerned agencies.

During the meeting, the Minister stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. He directed the concerned departments to work in close coordination to ensure that the public does not face any inconvenience during the festive period.

The Minister directed that adequate stock of food grains and other essential commodities under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and FCI be maintained at all depots and distribution points across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that timely distribution and proper monitoring mechanisms should be put in place to avoid any shortage or disruption in supply.

Satish Sharma further stated that an additional quota of food grains would be made available in view of the increased demand during Eid and Muharram festivities so that people across Jammu and Kashmir receive adequate supplies without any inconvenience.

Reviewing the availability of LPG, the Minister instructed Oil Marketing Companies and allied agencies to ensure sufficient stock of both domestic and commercial LPG cylinders. He further directed the agencies to streamline the supply chain and distribution process to effectively meet the increased demand during the festive season.

The Minister also instructed the concerned authorities to explore the possibility of reducing the waiting period for booking and refilling domestic LPG cylinders in order to facilitate consumers during Eid and Muharram.

Directing for strict vigilance in markets, Satish Sharma asked the concerned enforcement agencies to undertake regular market checking drives across Jammu and Kashmir. He instructed the Food Safety Department and Legal Metrology Organization to intensify inspections to curb overpricing, hoarding, black marketing, and sale of substandard goods, while ensuring strict action against violators.

The Minister also directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Lakes Conservation and Management Authority to undertake extensive cleanliness drives in their respective jurisdictions in view of the forthcoming religious occasions.

Further, the Minister directed the Power Development Department (PDD) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and drinking water so that people do not face any inconvenience during Eid and Muharram.

Speaking during the meeting, Tanvir Sadiq emphasized the need for coordinated field-level monitoring to ensure that the benefits of government arrangements reach people effectively during the festive period. He stressed that special attention should be given to areas witnessing large public gatherings and religious congregations so that adequate civic amenities and essential supplies remain available at all times.

Tanvir Sadiq also called for enhanced sanitation measures, proper street lighting and improved water and electricity supply in areas associated with Eid and Muharram gatherings. He urged all departments to remain responsive to public grievances and ensure prompt redressal of issues during the upcoming religious occasions.

The Minister further directed officers to ensure adequate availability of essential commodities in accordance with anticipated demand and past consumption trends so that the public does not face any difficulty during the upcoming religious occasions.