J&K sought suggestions for food bill

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government has sought suggestions from different departments which would be consolidated and submitted to the Central government for proposed Food Security Bill-2011.

Officials said that with a view to finalise views and comments of the state government on the proposed Food Security Bill, 2011, a meeting of Administrative Secretaries and Heads of concerned departments was held under the chairmanship of Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) and Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon here today.
During the meeting threadbare discussions were held on various issues of the proposed bill and suggestions were sought from the concerned authorities for early submission for the approval of Central government after receiving the nod from State Cabinet.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said Food Security Bill being introduced by Centre had great importance in handling food crisis and price escalation.
He said Centre desired to introduce this bill in the country and had issued a format to all States for submitting their suggestions.
The Minister said under this Act the CA&PD Department would function as nodal agency. He said in this regard the state government has convened several meetings to discuss its prose and cones.
He underscored the need for taking maximum benefits from this bill for providing hassle free food grains to the State consumers under various categories.
He stressed on concerned authorities to come with their suggestions at the earliest, so that same would be consolidated and submitted to the Central government.
The Minister instructed concerned authorities that all objectives should be kept in mind while formulating their suggestions, adding that due care should be given to provide food grains to priority house holders and general house holders besides Anganwari Centers, Educational and Health Institutions.