Food & Civil Supplies introduce online system

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 10: As an effort to ensure “transparency” and to organise work judiciously, the principal secretary of the department of Food and Civil Supplies, N Hushili Sema has launched the ‘fair price shop (FPS) automation system,’ on October 10 at Indisen village’s Phanchayat Hall in Dimapur.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sema said that the director and officials involved in the development of the system have given time, sweat and energy to make it successful.

Once the FPS automation system is implemented in the true spirit, Sema claimed it will bring ‘more transparency’ and can carry out various programmes of the government of India ‘in a very judicious manner.’

The official congratulated the department of Food and Civil Supplies for making the FPS system. She requested village councils not only of Indisen but also other urban and village areas to support one another as the government departments cannot do it alone.

Sema urged the public, village authority and the beneficiaries to be the eyes and ears of the government and can point out work that are not being implemented in the right way.

The director of Food and Civil Supplies, Asangla Imti also spoke at the event. She explained that the FPS automation is a process of transaction using electronic point-of-sale device. The device recognizes the biometric (finger print and Iris) which is automatically linked to the Annavitran portal and epos.nic.

The FPS system is implemented to curb irregularity in weighing besides checking diversion, black marketing of food grains and most importantly eliminate bogus, dead, migrated names and duplicate cards among other anomalies, Imti said.

The department officer informed that duplication or possession of multiple NFSA ration card is being thoroughly checked. Deletion, edition, or addition work will be a continuous process for the department.

According to the official, the day’s programme is part of end-to-end computerisation and that the department has reached another milestone by completing 100 percent digitisation of more than 13 lakh beneficiary.

To obtain 100% subsidised items one needs an Aadhaar card, the director said. It is compulsory, she said adding that it is not the order of the state government but of the ministry.

‘End to end computerisation is very important and if the work is not completed in the give timeline, the state government will be answerable to the Supreme Court,’ she said.

Imti advised the beneficiaries to update their Aadhaar cards at the nearest Aadhaar centre as it will expire after three to four years and it will be rendered unauthenticated when applying to be an NFSA beneficiary.

The rest of the FPS systems will be rolled out month-wise in phases while additions and deletion will be an ongoing exercise, she said.

A citizen S Repasangla was the first beneficiary to obtain a ration through the FPS automation system from Indisen village.