The Department of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD), Manipur on Friday announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening food security, enhancing consumer protection and modernising the State’s Public Distribution System (PDS) through technology-driven reforms.
Speaking at the eighth edition of the “Meet the Press” programme organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at its auditorium in Nityaipat Chuthek, Director of CAF&PD Y. Nelson said the department is implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 to ensure transparent, efficient and accountable distribution of foodgrains across the State.
He said free rice has been distributed to all NFSA beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) since January 2023, and the scheme has been extended by the Central Government until December 2028. At present, around 21.13 lakh beneficiaries are covered under the scheme through 5.81 lakh ration cards in the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) categories.
Highlighting the department’s digital transformation, Nelson said all 2,532 Fair Price Shops in Manipur have been equipped with electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) devices for biometric authentication and real-time monitoring. Aadhaar seeding of ration cards has reached 99.7 per cent, Aadhaar linkage of beneficiaries stands at 99.6 per cent, while nearly 59 per cent of beneficiaries have completed the ongoing e-KYC process. The State receives a monthly allocation of 11,855.740 metric tonnes of rice under the NFSA.
He said the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme now enables eligible beneficiaries to access their foodgrain entitlement from any ePOS-enabled Fair Price Shop across the country. Other digital initiatives, including the Anna Chakra route optimisation system, GPS-based Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) and computerised supply chain management, have improved transparency, strengthened monitoring of foodgrain movement and reduced transportation costs.
The Director also informed that a four-metric-tonne-per-hour rice mill under the SASCI Project is nearing completion and is expected to promote decentralised paddy procurement, improve returns for local farmers and reduce dependence on rice sourced from outside the State.
Apart from food distribution, the department monitors the prices of 18 essential commodities through the State Level Price Monitoring Committee to maintain price stability. It also regulates the supply of petroleum products, LPG and Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO), while taking action against hoarding, adulteration and black marketing. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), 2,28,979 LPG connections have been provided to eligible households across Manipur.
The department further stated that the Manipur State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and eight District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions are functioning under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 to ensure timely resolution of consumer grievances. Reforms in the Legal Metrology wing, including online verification and registration services, revision of verification and stamping fees, and the introduction of a unified online portal, are also being undertaken to improve ease of doing business.
Regular inspections of markets, petrol pumps and LPG distributors are being conducted to ensure compliance with legal standards, while consumer awareness programmes are being organised in educational institutions and during major festivals to promote consumer rights and fair trade practices.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security, protecting consumer interests and delivering transparent and efficient public services through wider use of technology.
The press conference was also attended by Deputy Director Sapam Bishwojit, Financial Advisor Priya Nongmaithem, Joint Director O. Indira Chanu, District Consumer Commission, Imphal President K. Rabei, Additional Director of Departmental Management (ADDM) Ngasepam Ranachandra, Deputy Controller S. Pushpa Devi, Assistant Controller Sanabam Suraj and OSD H. Bobby.
