Food security panel reviews schemes, issues guidelines

Chairman of the State Food Commission, Dr SP Katyal, chaired a review meeting on Wednesday to assess the implementation of entitlements under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, and the Himachal Pradesh Food Security Rules, 2019. He emphasised the need for effective monitoring to ensure that benefits reach all eligible beneficiaries in a timely and transparent manner.

The progress of key schemes, including the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), PM-POSHAN, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), was reviewed in detail.

Dr Katyal directed officials to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism and raise public awareness about the role and functions of the commission. He instructed that hoardings and notice boards be installed at fair price shops, schools and anganwadi centres, displaying entitlement details and the commission’s contact information. This, he said, would enable beneficiaries to directly report cases of non-receipt of benefits.

Referring to the recent natural disasters in the state, he laid special emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted delivery of food security entitlements during emergencies such as heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides. He urged departments to remain vigilant so that rations and other benefits are distributed without delay in such situations.

The meeting was attended by Commission members Hemis Negi and Hitesh Azad, Member Secretary Yogesh Chauhan and senior officers from the Departments of Women and Child Development, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and the school education.