New Delhi: Meghalaya has taken all steps for implementation of the National Food Security scheme covering nearly 80 percent of rural areas and 50 per cent of urban areas, said Clement R Marak, Meghalaya Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
“Once the beneficiaries are identified Government will issue ration cards to all families with women member as the head,” he said while speaking at the conference of food ministers here on Tuesday.
Delivery of food grains would be done through the existing fair price shops and if needed more shops would be opened, he said adding that PDS would soon be computerised with digital ration cards.
The Minister also stressed on the need for more scientific storage facilities since the existing 30950 mt storage capacity is not adequate. Such facilities will be opened in Shillong, Tura, Baghmara, Khanapara, Nongstoin and Byrnihat, he said.
Inaugurating the conference, Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister Sharad Pawar said that by legally guaranteeing food grains to more than 80 crore population, the Centre is launching world’s largest social security programme.
Presiding over the conference, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. KV Thomas said the historic law marks a paradigm shift in our approach as it aims to ensure food security in a right based manner.