FCI team arrives in AP to streamline PDS

Itanagar, May 15 (UNI) A high level team of Food Corporation of India (FCI) led by its executive director (Finance) J Srivastava has arrived here to study the management of Public Distribution System (PDS) and recommend measures to make it more effective.

The team arrived here yesterday on a four-day visit.

Civil supplies secretary Hage Kojeen said, ''The visit is in tune with the announcement made by Governor S K Singh and Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu on steps to streamline the PDS to provide enough rice and edibles to every villager.'' In a high level meeting held in April at New Delhi, the team had decided to inspect Principal Distribution Centers (PDCs) to study the existing godown infrastructures and the status of PDS management in various parts of the state.

The visit was also aimed at the proposed opening of six FCI depots at Tawang, Seppa, Daporijo, Aalo, Anini and Tezu to prevent diversion or siphoning off essential commodities from the PDS and ensure delivery to the targeted beneficiaries, he disclosed.

The development of infrastructures for the proposed depots may take two to three years. The FCI is planning to take over the existing godowns to provide staff on deputation for their functioning, Mr Kojeen informed.

The team would hold discussions with senior state government officials to have first hand information on the existing PDS, its functioning and current impediments.

Apart from FCI officials, the team has Joint Director J Koyu, advisor to CM Takam Sanjoy, deputy commissioner and elected leaders of respective district.

The team is scheduled to tour various places including Tawang and Anini before returning to Delhi on May 18, Kojeen added.

Following the CM's meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the cabinet secretary had held another high level meeting before agreeing to enhance the transportation cost of PDS items to Rs 2.25 per quintal per km from April, Mr Khandu had announced on April 29.

UNI