A team from Food & Civil Supplies Department led by Secretary paid a visit of Turuk Ramabong GPU

Namchi, 10 January : A team led by Secretary Ms. Namrata Thapa, IAS accompanied by Ms. Tenzing Yangchen Bhutia, Addl. Secretary, Ms. Tenzin, Jt. Director (IT), Mr. Tenzing Bhutia, DCSO/Namchi, Mr. Phurba Sherpa, Asstt. Director, Mr. Tempa Sangay Bhutia, Incharge, Melli Godown, Ms. Urmila Chettri, SI, Ms. Suprava Gautam, SI, Mr. Vivek Rai, DEO, from Food & Civil Supplies Department paid a visit of Turuk Ramabong GPU, today.
All the Departmental Officers were given warm welcome by Mr. Sarad Pradhan on behalf of Hon’ble Panchayats of Turuk Ramabong GPU, Fair Price Shop owners and local grameens.
The main aim for the visit of Secretary and her entourage were to interact with the beneficiaries of the area and to give awareness on eKYC, importance of automated transaction and the fortified rice being distributed through Public Distribution System.
At the outset Secretary Madam categorically explained about mandatory eKYC to be done by all the NFSA beneficiaries through FPS owners which has to be completed 100% by the month of February, 2024. It is pertinent here to mention that last month, the Government of India has curtailed 107 mt of rice for the state of Sikkim due to manual transaction done by the Fair Price Owners which was considered as “unlifted quota“ and the curtailing process will go on if the FPSs fails to follow automated transaction thorough epos machine. During the interaction session, Secretary Madam appealed all the beneficiaries to surrender their AAY/PHH ration cards who have got regular government services or improvement of living standard. An appeal in this regard has already been made by Secretary Madam vide appeal no. 389/F&CS dated 21/09/2023 but to our dismay nobody has come up voluntarily to surrender their cards. She also requested all the Hon’ble Panchayat present to insist on Gram Sabhas for selection of AAY/PHH beneficiaries duly identifying replacement from within the GPU.
At the outset Mr. Mani Kr. Chettri Hon’ble Panchayat from Panchgharey Ward requested Secretary Madam to propose DOP to ask for APL certificate from concerned Gram Panchayat Unit for the government employees who get regular appointment or promotion which will help to check many anomalies done before.
Mr. Tenzing Bhutia, DCSO/Namchi also informed the house that it is the sole responsibility of all the FPS owners to ensure 100% automated transaction through epos machine for existing beneficiaries in order to continue their uninterrupted ration supply. In case the FPS owners fails to do so due to power failure, network problem, machinery breakdown etc, then they have to enter the names of AAY/PHH under their FPS through IMPDS portal (offline transaction). In case the names of beneficiaries like special cases of unsound, prolonged ill, old aged etc whose biometrics are not possible either UID cannot be updated, can be recommended for consideration however, all possible efforts should be adopted by the FPS owners beforehand. If need be, they can avail the assistance from concerned Panchayats as well. He further added that the government of India has introduced fortified rice in all the public distribution system which contains iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 which is very essential for all round development of human body.
The Panchayat President also assured department to immediately conduct an awareness programme on ekycs and other ration card related issues.

Press Release from Food and Civil Supplies Department, Namchi