Resubelpara, Dec 4: The 1st regional camp on National Food Security Act, 2013 for Garo Hills region was held at Mendipathar Cooperative Society Hall, Mendipathar, Resubelpara on Wednesday.

The event, organised by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Supply), North Garo Hills along with Meghalaya State Food Commission, Shillong, emphasised on the purpose of the Commission to monitor and review the implementation of Food Security Act, 2013.

The event was participated by SHGs, fair price shops dealers, wholesalers, beneficiaries of various food security schemes, nokmas and sordars of the area.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira said the camp aimed to educate beneficiaries of various categories under Public Distribution System, their entitlement, rights under NFSA and grievance mechanism for effective implementation of the Food Security Act, 2013.

The NFSA which encapsulates the Midday Meal scheme, ICDS and the PDS, the Deputy Speaker Timothy Shira pressed upon the implementing agencies to implement these schemes in ‘letter and spirit’ by identifying deserving household beneficiaries thereby enabling them to avail benefits from the schemes.

The importance of linking Aadhaar with ration cards was also elaborated during the programme.

Mendipathar MLA Marthon J Sangma in his speech cited “there are many beneficiaries whose entitlements were halted for not linking with Aadhaar”. Therefore, enrolling and linking Aadhaar is mandatory for availing various public welfare schemes, added Sangma.

Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin urged the FPS dealers to maintain transparency in the distribution system. He also motivated the dealers and stakeholders to complain if discrepancy is found in the distribution system.

Meanwhile, special guest of the programme, PS Thangkhiew, Chairman of Meghalaya State Food Commission, outlined the objective of the Commission. He stated that the Commission acts as an arbitrator in ensuring that the complaints, grievances it received are resolved fairly. He further encouraged the participants to report or complain if they think their entitlement is not meted to them.

He also informed of the online portal www.megpgrams.gov.in the Meghalaya public grievances redressal & monitoring system (megPGRAM), tollfree No. 1971, 1967 where people can file their complaints.

Representing the Deputy Commissioners of Garo Hills region, Diana Guri Sangma, ADC East Garo Hills, in her speech highlighted the Grievance Redressal System issues, the need for consumer awareness while fostering participants to raise issues, irregularities through various grievance mechanisms.

Among others who spoke during the programme were Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, AK Singh, Member of Meghalaya State Food Commission, Tura, Dr Greenaline K Marak, and Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Food Commission, Shillong, DM Suja.

Following the introductory session, the gathering was apprised on various schemes of the department and Aadhaar advantages, best practices, PDS implementation etc.

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