ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT, FOOD CIVIL SUPPLIES & CONSUMER AFFAIRS, MEGHALAYA

ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT

Implementation of T.P.D.S and other Central Sector Schemes like Annapurna and Antyodaya Anna Yojna.
Monitoring of availability and prices of Essential Commodities in the State.
Implementation of Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

A. TPDS AND OTHER CENTRAL SCHEMES

The T.P.D.S is implemented throughout the State through the Deputy Commissioners / Sub - Divisional Officers and covers all sections of consumers. The consumers are categorised as follows: -

CATEGORY	NUMBER OF FAMILIES	FAMILY IDENTITY CARD / RATION CARDS ISSUED
A P L (Above Poverty Level)	2,66,078	1,07,206
B P L (Below Poverty Level)	1,54,900	1,54,900
A A Y (Antyodaya Anna Yojna or Poorest Families)	28,100	28,100
TOTAL	4,49,078	2,90,206

The matter of issuing Ration cards/ Family Identity Cards to all APL families is under consideration.

Allocation of rice etc from Govt. of India per month and release / scales of supply per family as follows :-

Commodity	Allocation From Govt. of India	Release Per Family	Retail Prices
A P L Rice	3,104 MT	11.150 Kgs to APL family only	Rs. 8.80 P to Rs. 9.50 P per Kg
B P L Rice	5,421 MT	35.00 Kgs to BPL family only	Rs. 6.15 per Kg
A A Y Rice	984 MT	35.00 Kgs to AAY family only	Rs. 3.00 P per Kg
Levy Sugar	1,704 MT	697 gms per individual to all consumers/BPL/ APL/AAY	Rs. 13.50 P to Rs. 14.00 P per Kg
S.K. Oil	2,205 KLS	9.5 litres for urban 4.7 litres for rural to all families APL/BPL/AAY	Rs. 8.45 P to Rs. 10.40 P per Litre
APL Wheat	648 Mt.	1 Kg to 5 kg per family both APL/BPL/AAY in the form of Wholemeal atta.	Rs. 6.60 P to Rs. 7.00 per Kg

Number of Families/ Household under TPDS District-wise

SL. NO.	DISTRICT / SUB - DIVISION	A P L ( ABOVE POVERTY LEVEL )	B P L ( BELOW POVERTY LEVEL )	ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJNA ( POOREST FAMILIES )
1.	SHILLONG	67,755	45,319	8,216
2.	SOHRA	8,106	4,510	818
3.	RI - BHOI	24,865	6,626	1,203
4.	NONGSTOIN	20,226	4,565	830
5.	MAIRANG	11,753	3,318	602
6.	MAWKYRWAT	10,664	2,915	529
7.	JOWAI	23,961	6,540	1,187
8.	KHLIEHRIAT	10,452	5,180	940
9.	AMLAREM	4,232	2,834	515
10.	TURA	29,799	12,800	2,322
11.	AMPATI	5,678	19,950	3,618
12.	DADENGIRI	5,990	19,062	3,457
13.	BAGHMARA	13,251	5,403	982
14.	WILLIAMNAGAR	16,614	7,254	1,317
15.	RESUBELPARA	12,732	8,624	1,564
	TOTAL	2,66,078	1, 54,900	28,100

Number of Govt. Nominees (Wholesale Dealers) and Fair Price Shops

SL. NO.	DISTRICT / SUB - DIVISION	NUMBER OF FAIR PRICE SHOPS			GOVT. NOMINEES ( WHOLESALERS )
		URBAN	RURAL	TOTAL
1.	Shillong	408	590	998	62
2.	Nongstoin	7	293	300	11
3.	Jowai	21	167	188	13
4.	Tura	98	221	319	24
5.	Nongpoh	15	272	287	19
6.	Williamnagar	28	266	294	5
7.	Baghmara	21	164	185	13
8.	Sohra	7	56	63	7
9.	Mairang	11	146	157	10
10.	Mawkyrwat	-	200	200	11
11.	Amlarem	-	58	58	6
12.	Khliehriat	5	118	123	12
13.	Ampati	-	409	409	23
14.	Dadengiri	-	477	477	28
15.	Resubelpara	25	214	239	4
	TOTAL	646	3,651	4,297	248

ANTYODAYA ANNA YOJNA

The Scheme covers the poorest families in the State and 35 Kgs of rice per family per month are supplied at the price of Rs. 3.00 P per Kg. 28,100 families have been identified under the Scheme which has been implemented from November, 2001 onwards.

ANNAPURNA

It is a Central Sector Scheme AND CENT PER CENT FINANCED BY government of India. Under the Scheme rice is supplied free of cost at the quantum of 10 (ten) Kgs per month to the indigent Old Age Persons not covered under the National Old Age Pension Scheme. Govt. of India have targeted 9,263 beneficiaries in Meghalaya as on 2001 - 2002. However, only 7039 beneficiaries have been identified by Deputy Commissioner, (S), / Sub - Divisional Officer, (S), through THE D.R.D.AS at present. Each beneficiary has been issued with Entitlement Card as per instructions of Govt. of India. The Scheme has been implemented from January 2002 onwards. With effect from 2002-2003, the Scheme has been transferred to State Plan.

B. MONITORING OF OPEN MARKET COMMODITIES

The availability of essential commodities in the open market and the price-situation is monitored regularly by the Department. The price situation in the State capital is monitored and transmitted to Govt of India on daily basis. A Price Monitoring Committee has been set up at the State Level since 1998. The Committee meets whenever necessary especially in times of scarcity of essential commodities. The reasons/factors for scarcity are examined and corrective measures taken in consultation with the local traders and Govt of India.

C. IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 1986

Under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, Consumer Courts have been set up in Meghalaya, which are known as State Commission at the State Level and District Forum at the District Level. The District Forum deals with Consumer disputes the value of which ranges from Rs. 0 - Rs. 5 lakhs while State Commission deals with Cases, value which range from Rs. 5 - Rs. 20 lakhs. Upto March, 2002, the number of Cases registered are as follows: -

AGENCY	CASES REGISTERED	CASES DISPOSED	PENDING CASES
State Commission	113	73	40
District Fora	277	246	31
	390	319	71

The Deputy Commissioners/Sub divisional Officers (Civil) are Nodal Authorities for implementation of the TPDS in the Districts/Subdivisions. Consumers in the State may contact their respective Deputy Commissioners/Sub divisional Officers for any detailed informations on TPDS matters within their areas. Public grievances/complaints should initially be lodged by the consumers with the Deputy Commissioners/Sub divisional Officers.

The Director is the Nodal Authority for implementation of TPDS etc at the State level.

Contents provided by Directorate of Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs
Horse Shoe Building, Lachumiere, Shillong