Hathras DM Orders Foodgrain Delivery to Fair Price Shops Within 24 Hours

Hathras District Magistrate Saty Prakash Patel has directed that foodgrain dispatched from the depots must reach fair price shop dealers within 24 hours. He said no delay at any stage of the foodgrain distribution system would be tolerated and warned that action would be taken for negligence.

The instructions were issued during a review meeting with officials and transport contractors to ensure the timely supply of foodgrain from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and SWC depots to fair price shops under the Single-Stage Doorstep Delivery Scheme.

The District Magistrate said the concerned fair price dealer must receive the foodgrain within 24 hours of its dispatch from the depot. After delivery, receipt of the foodgrain must be ensured within the geo-fenced area, and the receipt must be recorded immediately through the e-POS machine.

Patel expressed displeasure over delays in completing the e-POD and in recording the receipt of foodgrain. He directed the concerned officials, employees and single-stage transport contractors to improve the system and ensure that the process runs on time.

He also directed that the lifting of foodgrain allocated under the National Food Security Act must be completed within the prescribed time limit under all circumstances. The District Food Marketing Officer was instructed to ensure the availability of a sufficient number of GPS-enabled trucks through single-stage transport contractors so that foodgrain lifting could be carried out on time.

The District Magistrate further directed that effective arrangements be made to complete the lifting of foodgrain for the coming months before the prescribed date. This, he said, was necessary to prevent delays in the supply and distribution process.

He warned that if transport contractors failed to provide sufficient trucks according to the prescribed roster and this resulted in a delay in foodgrain lifting, strict action would be taken against the concerned contractor as per the rules.

Patel said that providing foodgrain on time to eligible beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System was a priority of the government. He made it clear that any negligence or laxity in the transport and distribution system would not be accepted.

The meeting was attended by the Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue), the District Supply Officer, the District Food Marketing Officer and representatives of the single-stage transport contractors.