Paswan says DBT last resort to check leakages in NFSA
SHILLONG: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has urged the State government to adopt end-to-end computerisation system to address the leakages in distribution of food grain to genuine beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The minister also hinted at introducing direct benefit transfer (DBT) in case of leakages in foodgrain distribution.
Speaking to media persons here on Monday, the Minister of Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said he has already written to all chief ministers to ensure that there are no complaints in the implementation of the scheme.
Under the end-to-end computerisation system, the State government can track the movement and distribution of food grain to ensure that it reaches only the genuine beneficiaries.
Stating that 18 states have already started the computerisation system, Paswan said the last option to address leakages would be introduction of direct benefit transfer under which the money would be accredited to the account of the beneficiaries and then it would depend on them what kind of grain or from which place they want to buy.
“The proposal for DBT should come from the State and if there is a request, we will definitely attend to it,” he said.
According to the Minister, the total demand of grain in Meghalaya under NSFA is 15,000 metric tonnes and the storage capacity here is 22,850 metric tonnes. There are 21,46,000 beneficiaries in Meghalaya.
The State requires 12,281 MT of rice under the Act every month and 2,386 MT of wheat.
In addition, the Minister informed that a 2,500 MT depot is coming up in Garo Hills and another of 5,000 MT capacity is being set up in Thangsalai near the New Shillong Town.
“The proposal is under process and the land acquisition is on,” he said.
The Minister is also set to review implementation of the scheme in Guwahati on Tuesday.
