Ampati, June 21: As a token of the Government’s appreciation to the wholesalers and fair-price shop dealers for their contribution in successfully implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma distributed certificates of appreciation to the wholesalers and fair-price shop dealers of South West Garo Hills district at Ampati on Wednesday.
Speaking to the gathering before giving away the certificates, the Chief Minister said that the government by an act of Parliament has been able to ensure food security in the country in an effort to eradicate poverty and hunger.
The State Government has been able to address the challenges of implementation of the Act in terms of distribution through the active support and partnership of different stakeholders, particularly the wholesalers and fair price shop dealers, he said, adding that this programme is a mark of acknowledgement by the government for their hard work and all the hardship they have to undergo in lifting, handling and transporting the commodities to make them reach to the beneficiaries.
Terming the National Food Security Mission as the biggest food security programme in the world, the Chief Minister told the gathering that the programme is a commitment of the government designed for the most needy which has been mandated by a law which is binding on the authorities to take care of the citizens . “The price of essential commodities are on rise, however, the Act ensures that the vulnerable and marginalized section of the society receives the essential food item at a rate fixed by the Parliament”, he added.
He also said that Meghalaya has been the only state in the country to provide packaged sugar under the programme, but the distribution of sugar has been recently withdrawn by the Central Government. “The Centre has failed to listen to us and discontinued the distribution of sugar from the programme.
But we have decided to work out the modalities from our own resources to continue providing sugar apart from rice,” he said. As part of the programme, 3 kg of sugar was given to every household prior to the withdrawal. “Though we will not be able to provide 3 kg per household, we will continue to give sugar at 1 kg per household from the State’s own resources”, he added.
The Chief Minister also motivated the wholesalers and dealers telling them that they should consider their service as a social service and not as an enterprise. However, through this service they can learn the art of entrepreneurship and expand their horizon to building successful business models to enhance their livelihood. “The state will prosper if the people are engaged in successful business ventures that would help government to generate revenue.
It is incumbent on the government to create hope for its people in partnership with the community”, he said. South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner (Supply), C.V.D. Diengdoh and Addl.DC (Supply) Mary T. Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion. Later, an awareness programme on NFSA was also organized for the wholesalers and FPS dealers on the occasion, where Inspector of Supply, Ampati, R. Boro deliberated on the topic of Consumers’ Rights under Consumers’ Protection Act, 1986 and Sub-Inspector (Supply), Salchra N. Sangma gave a presentation on NFSA, 2013, while Inspector of Metrology, Chingchang D. Sangma dwelt on the matters relating to Metrology department. This was followed by a lively session of discussion and interaction between the officials and the dealers.
