Rightful Targeting of NFSA Benefits Undertaken at Temi GPU
Namchi, October 9 : In commemoration of Gandhi Jayanti and in line with the initiative of Rightful Targeting, the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Namchi, conducted a beneficiary verification and ration card distribution programme at Temi Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU).
The programme was attended by Panchayat President of Temi GPU, Mrs Binita Bista; Ward Panchayat of Aifaltar, Mr Khem Raj Chettri; Ward Panchayat of Upper Tea Garden, Mrs Nirmala Gurung; and Block Development Officer (BDO), Temi, Mr Roshan Rai.
The team from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Namchi, was led by District Civil Supplies Officer (DCSO), Mr Tenzing Bhutia, and included Mr Akash Rai, In-charge, Temi Godown; Mr Vivek Rai, DEO, Temi; Ms Neema Tamang, FI; and Ms Amrita Kalikotey, ASI. Beneficiaries from various wards were also present during the programme.
The primary objective of the initiative was to ensure that benefits under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) reach the most deserving and eligible beneficiaries, identified in consultation with the concerned Panchayats, in accordance with the guidelines of the Food and Civil Supplies Department.
During the scrutiny of documents, it was observed that several government employees were availing themselves of NFSA benefits. Under the supervision of the BDO, Temi, and with the support of the concerned Panchayats, ineligible ration cards were cancelled, and the benefits were redirected to genuine beneficiaries recommended by the respective Gram Panchayats.
The exercise also included the completion of pending e-KYC formalities to facilitate the identification and verification of beneficiaries under the various NFSA categories.
As part of the first phase of the initiative, five beneficiaries who were previously not covered under NFSA were provided with Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) ration cards following due verification. The beneficiaries are:
1. Mrs Radha Bista
2. Mr Tika Ram Chettri
3. Mr Deepak Chettri
4. Mr Devi Charan Chettri
5. Mrs Chandra Kala Chettri
The department will continue the exercise in other Block Administrative Centres (BACs) in the coming days to strengthen transparency, accountability and the effective delivery of food security benefits to eligible households.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department has also urged all concerned Panchayats and BDOs to extend their cooperation in ensuring rightful targeting and that government benefits reach only the genuine and deserving beneficiaries
