Replicate Chhattisgarh model to make PDS more effective: Harsh Mandar.
Ranchi, July 24 -- Supreme Court's Food Commissioner Harsh Mandar held a review meeting with Chief Secretary and the representatives of the social organisations and indicated changes to ensure food security and social welfare projects in Jharkhand.
He suggested to open Anganwadi centres against a population of 100 to 300 people. Under Integrated Child Development Scheme in Jharkhand there are around 38,432 centres of Anganwari out of which 136 are yet to be functional. Mandar suggested even tiny hamlets should be brought within the purview of the scheme.
Mandar suggested the State Government to replicate the model of the Chhattisgarh Government to make the public distribution system more effective. He offered three suggestions including distribution of licences of the PDS shops to the social help groups instead to an individual.
"A computer-based system must be developed to keep track of the movements of food grains," he said. He instructed the secretary of the department of Food and Supply to form a committee to advice on the implementation of the Chhattisgarh model of PDS system in Jharkhand. Better transportation of food grains from exit to distribution point and constriction of bare-houses, he suggested.
Suggesting training for village level staff and helpers Mandar said that vacant posts of CDPOs must be filled besides extensive for CDPOs to make them a useful instrument in the execution of National Rural Health Mission.
Stating Jharkhand tops the list of malnutrition with 30 per cent children reported to be malnourished Mandar said an amount of Rs 100 a day paid to each children was not sufficient. Proposing 'committee based rehabilitation centre' to find out more cases of child malnutrition Mandar said the number could be around three to four thousands in each block if surveys are conducted intensively.
Over the old age pension scheme Chief Secretary AK Singh informed that beneficiaries are paid sanctioned amount under scheme each month at respective bank accounts.
Taking stock of the NREGS in the State Mandar was of the view that the institution of social auditing and monitoring of the schemes must be strengthened to look into complaints therein.
Singh explained that due to absence of the networks of the banks in many parts of Jharkhand NREGS wages are paid through the post offices which take around 30 to 45 day in transferring the account.
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