Gujarat CM launches State Food Commission

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today launched the Gujarat State Food Commission under the gamut of the National Food Security Act, with a view to free the state from fear, hunger and corruption.

Speaking at the function, he said the new State Food Commission would work as a watchdog to ensure fair distribution of food and civil supplies without favour, and that there is no irregularity. It becomes the government’s moral responsibility to fulfil the citizens’ basic needs like Roti, Kapada and Makan and that nobody goes to bed hungry. He said the Supreme Court has also appreciated Gujarat’s moving fast in this direction.

Mr, Rupani said that In case any persons doesn’t get foodgrain can straightway complaint to the Commission on the latter’s toll free number. The complainant could be poor, neglected, oppressed, antyodaya (last person in the last mile) or any of the 6.50-crore citizens of the state. People living in tribal and forested areas will get more rice. The state is also concerned about providing nutritious food to the people, for which a budget of Rs.1,050-crore has been allocated.

He said the state is setting up Deendayal Grahak Bhandar in remote areas; in addition to 17,250 food and civil supplies’ fair price shops. The administration is linking 3.84-crore beneficiaries with Aadhar Card.

Mr. Rupani said the State Food Commission is in line with the government’s other pro-people initiatives like Annapurna Project to provide meal at Rs.10 to construction workers from June, Prime Minister’s Janaushadhi Generic Stores, Vatsalya Card for cashless medical treatment up to Rs. two lakh for the poor.

Food & Civil Supplies Minister Jayeshbhai Radadiya described the initiative as the state government’s farsightedness and determination to provide quality foodgrains in time to the people, monitoring through the state level cell.

State Food Commission’s newly appointed Chairman Bhupendra Lakhawala said the organization is a fine example of the Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel’s able leadership.

Even as the Food Security Act has been implemented in the State from May 1, 2016, Chief Secretary J.N. Singh in his welcome address said the State Food Commission has been formed in very short time to incorporate all categories of people.

Gujarat State Food Commission Secretary M.A. Narmawala, Food & Civil Supplies Managing Director Ranjit Kumar and Principal Secretary Sangita Singh spoke on the occasion.

Others present on the occasion included Food & Civil Supplies Parliamentray Shamjibhai Chauhan, MPs, MLAs, Members and officers

– Information