Srinagar, Oct 16;(KNS) The activists of Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement assembled in the press enclave Srinagar on Friday and held a protest against corruption and mismanagement in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in J&K. The protest was held to commemorate the World Food Day which is celebrated on October 16th across the world.

While speaking to reporters Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat said that around the year 2017-18 J&K Government (Food and Civil Supplies Department) procured electronic Point of Sale (ePoS) machines for all Government run ration depots across J&K, but were not put into use. He appreciated Secretary Food for ordering to use these machines as all consumers are now adhar linked. He alleged that in spite of Govt orders many Storekeepers are reluctant to put these machines into use.

"Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement has been constantly updating the Govt about the mismanagement and corrupt practices of the employees of his department. The Administrative Department took some steps like constituting an inquiry committee, penalizing some officials, suspending a few as well, but a lot more needs to be done. We appeal to the Govt to ensure all Ration stores have proper rate lists suspended, plus digital weighing are out into use . If Food Department official penalize private shopkeepers for not using rate list why Govt ration stores don't make the same available for public ? " said Dr Raja Muzaffar

He added that under Govt order No: FCS & CA /PMU/15/2018-19 (part file) Dated 1.10.2020 Secretary Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs directed the Directors of the department Jammu / Kashmir divisions to ensure all transactions are done through electronic point of sale device (e-PoS), but the orders are not being followed everywhere.(KNS)