| Our Profile |
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This Department
came into existence in 1942 at Lahore in the wake of introduction
of Rationing during Second World War. After the Partition of
the Country in 1947, the office was shifted to Shimla. The Camp
office of this Department was shifted to Chandigarh in 1956-1957
but the main office shifted from Shimla in the year 1959 when
the State trading in Food Grains was introduced The Department
has manifold functions which are as under:
1. Procurement of Food Grains
2. Storage of Food Grains
3. Supply and Distribution of Essential Commodities through
the PDS.
4. Protection of Consumer’s Rights in conjunction with
the Consumer Courts.
This Department arranges to
procure / purchase of Wheat and Paddy during the Rabi and Kharif
season at minimum support price fixed by the Govt. of India
from time to time. It also procures rice and wheat for the central
pool of the Govt. of India. After making the purchases the department
maintains the stocks in its storage. Some times the department
has to hire the godowns from other agencies as well as privately.
This department by way of spray, fumigation and physical verification
of the food grains also does the maintenance of the stock.
To maintain the stability
of the price of various essential commodities including food
grains, this department plays as effective role whenever there
is a shortage of essential commodities. Sometimes this department
has to approach the Govt. of India to release larger quantities
of essential commodities, namely levy sugar, wheat, kerosene
oil, H.S.D. and L.P.G., etc. In this way hike in prices are
controlled by this department. This department distributes sugar,
wheat, rice and kerosene oil through Fair Price Shops.
The Consumer Protection (Punjab)
Rules, 1987, based on the Consumer Protection Act 1986, were
also notified in 1987.The State Commission/District Forums have
been established and have started functioning. The department
provides the necessary staff for the working of these quasi-judicial
forums .On 18/07/1991 the Punjab State Consumer Protection Council
was constituted to safeguard the interests of the consumers.
The Consumer Protection Day/Week is celebrated every year in
the month of March. 78 Voluntary Consumer Protection Organizations
are currently working for the welfare of the consumers. These
associations are given financial assistance by the Govt. of
India for showing better performance in the consumer protection
activities out of the Consumer Welfare Fund. To encourage the
consumers for their outstanding work in the field of consumer
protection, a scheme of National Award for giving prizes was
commenced in June, 1994 by the Govt. of India. |
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| ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE |
The Food, Civil Supplies
& Consumer Affairs Department, Punjab is under the administrative
control of Principal Secretary, Food & Supplies. There are
two wings under the Secretary, one Secretariat organisation
and the other Directorate organisation. The Directorate has
its offices both at the divisional and district level in the
State. At the Divisional level, there are three Deputy Directors
(Field) who are assisted by the District Food & Supplies
Controllers who are heading the district level offices of this
Department. The District Food & Supplies Controllers are
working under the direct control of Director, Food & Supplies
whose office is located at Chandigarh. |
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| AIMS & OBJECTIVES |
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| PROCUREMENT |
The main objective of
the Department is procurement of foodgrains i.e. wheat and rice
for the Central Pool. The Government of Punjab contributes approximately
50 to 60% in wheat and 40 to 50% in rice to the Central Pool.
The entire operation of procurement is carried out by the Department
alongwith other Procurement Agencies like FCI, Markfed, Punsup,
PAIC and PSWC. The coordination work is carried out solely by
the Department. |
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| DISTRTIBUTION |
Simultaneously the Department
through a well regulated whole sale/distribution points and
large network of fair price shops carries out the Public Distribution
System. The whole sale points are managed by Punjab Civil Supplies
Corporation, the work of fair and just distribution of commodities
under the PDS scheme is supervised by the Department of Food
& Supplies. |
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| Issues pending with Govt. of India |
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a) Procurement of paddy by FCI
b) Movement of stocks by FCI
c) Passing on excess on account of moisture gain in wheat
d) Constitution of a committee to finalize pending issues.
e) Creation of additional storage space.
f) Shortage of space with Food Corporation of India for delivery
of rice
g) Enhancement of milling charges |
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| PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM |
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| well-organized
Public Distribution System is maintained in the State through
network of 8040 Fair Price Shops (up to 31.03.2006). Following
items are being supplied through these shops:
1) Levy Sugar
2) Kerosene Oil
3) Wheat (Below poverty line)
4) Rice (Below poverty line)
As on 31.03.2006 there were
27496752 cardholders. As per the present Govt. policy 350 ration
cards are required for opening a fair price shop in the urban
areas and 300 ration cards or 1500 units in the Rural areas.
Whenever the number of ration cards exceeds 700 in urban areas
a second ration depot can be opened in that area. Moreover,
the Government has delegated all the powers for sanctioning
the depot to the concerned Deputy Directors (Field). Government
also allow Fair Price Shop owners to use their shops as S.T.D.
Booths but it should not become hurdle in the distribution of
essential Commodities.
Besides this, in the state,
for allotment of ration depots, Government has provided reservation
for various categories of persons as under: |
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| Category |
Reservation |
| Scheduled Castes |
13% |
| Backward Classes |
5% |
| Ex-Servicemen |
7% |
| Freedom Fighters |
5% |
| Handicapped Persons |
3% |
| Voluntary Organizations of women |
2% |
| Riot Victims/Terrorist affected families
|
10% |
| Total |
45% |
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| A) Distribution of levy sugar under PDS : |
At present levy sugar
is allocated by Govt. of India under Public Distribution System.
Levy sugar is distributed at the scale of 500 grams per unit
per month amongst the BPL card holders of the state. The rate
of levy sugar is Rs. 13.50 per Kg. The levy sugar is distributed
to all districts keeping in view their units |
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| B) Targeted Public Distribution System : |
The Govt. of India has
introduced targeted public distribution system in the whole
of the country from the month of June,1997. The approval for
implementation of TPDS in Punjab State has been accorded by
the Govt. of India w.e.f. 1.10.1997.In Punjab, 641156 BPL families
were identified out of which 4,30,000 families were targeted
for the Punjab State by the Govt. of India. As per the report
received from Rural Development and Panchayat Deptt. and Local
Govt. Deptt. there are 13.28 lac families living Below Povery
Line (BPL) having Yellow Cards and whose annual income does
not exceeds families haing yellow cards under the TPDS, so that
the number of beneficieries may be restricted to the figures
given in the guidelines circulated by the Government of India
regarding TPDS.
As per scheme, the foods grains is being distributed to the
beneficiaries i.e. BPL, AAY & APL families as per details
given below: |
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| Sr. No. |
Name of Category |
Name of commodity (Rs. /
Qt.) |
Quantity |
Rate |
| 1. |
BPL |
Wheat & Rice |
35 Kg. Per family per month |
Wheat : Rs. 454.26 Per Qtl.
Rice : Rs. 611.74 Per Qtl. |
| 2. |
AAY |
Wheat & Rice |
35 Kg. Per family per month |
Wheat : Rs. 200.00 Per Qtl.
Rice : Rs. 300.00 Per Qtl.
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| 3. |
APL |
Wheat & Rice |
35 Kg. Per family per month |
Wheat : Rs. 659.00 Per Qtl.
Rice : Rs. 889.98 Per Qtl.
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|
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The work of lifting of
food grains under the TPDS and APL food grains from FCI and
further distribution to the depots/Fair price shops is being
made by the State Agency viz PUNSUP |
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| Procedure for obtaining the Ration Card and
form. |
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1. Application must
be in form D.I. In rural areas application form is to be attested
by Nambardar or Punch or Surpanch and in urban areas the application
is to be attested by M.C. / MLA or any Gazetted officer.
2. Surrender or Deletion Certificate must be attached with the
application form.
or in the absence of Surrender / Deletion the Stamp paper of
worth Rs. 3/- that the application do not have any Ration card
in the state of Punjab or any where in India, and that is to
be attested by the executor Magistrate.
3. Two Passport size photographs of applicant and his/her family
members is to be attached along with the application form.
4. Ration Card is to be issued for five years i.e. the periodicity
of the renewal is five years.
5. In case Ration card is
lost or damaged a duplicate ration card is to be procured after
depositing a fee of Rs. 5/- in the Govt. Head.
6. In case of, adding additional member in ration card birth
certificate or surrender or deletion certificate is required
along with the application form.
7. In case, the death of a
family member card holder is to require to produce a copy of
certificate, along with the revised application form for the
deletion of the name of the said deceased family member. |
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| SUPPLIES |
| 1) Kerosene: |
Kerosene is allocated
by the Govt. of India on quarterly basis for distribution to
ration cardholders for the purpose of cooking and illumination.
Kerosene is distributed in the ratio 60:40 in urban and rural
areas respectively. The fixed scale for distribution is 8 liters
for urban area and 6 liters for rural area per ration card per
month for non-LPG users and 3 liters per card per month for
single cylinder LPG users. The distribution of kerosene depends
on the availability of kerosene and ration cards in each area.
The state govt. has approached the Ministry of Petroleum to
allot more kerosene oil wholesale dealerships in the state and
also to rationalize the quota of wholesale dealers, so that
equitable distribution of kerosene is ensured.
Hospitals ,Schools, Colleges,
CRPF, BSF/Police units and religious places are allowed kerosene
at PDS rates out of the monthly quota of the State.
Since kerosene is highly
subsidized commodity, the Department has taken various steps
to check its diversion from the public distribution system for
black marketing and adulteration with diesel and petrol. Monthly
checking norms of wholesale licenses and retailers have been
fixed and regular reports are obtained from District Officers.
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| 2) Petrol / Diesel : |
The oil companies, through
their outlets, are making distribution of Petrol & Diesel.
The dealers get supply of petrol/diesel as per their previous
histories. In case of need the State Govt. arranges supply of
diesel/petrol after submitting a report to the State Level Coordinator
cum Chief Divisional Manager, Indian Oil Corporation. The officers
of the Food Supply Department have been allowed powers of entry,
search and seizure under the Central High Speed Diesel and Motor
Spirit (Prevention of Malpractice's in Supply and Distribution
) order, 1990. in order to ensure that the dealers do not indulge
in adulteration of petrol/diesel with kerosene oil, monthly
checking of petrol pumps have been fixed for the offices of
the Deptt. |
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| 3) LPG: |
| The Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Gas grants the distributorship of LPG.
There are 366 LPG agencies in the State. The agencies are governed
under the Central LPG ( Regulation of Supply and Distribution
) Order,2000, in which powers for entry, search and seizure
have been granted to the officers of this Deptt. Whenever any
complaint is received against any agency, checking is conducted
and action is recommended to the concerned Oil Company, if any
irregularity is found during checking.
Parallel Marketing of LPG
has been introduced in the past. Powers of entry, search and
seizure have been given to the officers of this Deptt. |
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| 4) Brick Kilns: |
| Brick kilns are installed
after getting license from the Deptt. under the Punjab Control
of Bricks Supplies (Price and Distribution) Control Order, 1998. |
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| PROCUREMENT |
| A) WHEAT: |
Punjab being the granary
of India has maintained its lead over all other states in the
contribution of food grains to the central pool. The Food, Civil
Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department along with its various
agencies watches the interest of the farmers and to maintain
the minimum support price. |
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| B) PADDY: |
Paddy is the other major
crop of the state. Like wheat, the State has contributed maximum
paddy (in terms of rice) for the Central Pool. In a normal year,
mandi arrivals constitute 80% to 90% of the total production
and another important aspect is the procurement of paddy by
private millers and Govt. agencies. The state govt. and its
agencies enter the market only to ensure the minimum support
price to the farmers so that they are not exploited by the traders
/ millers. |
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| C) PURCHASE CENTERS: |
The Department of Food,
Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs along with other state
procuring agencies and FCI have set up infrastructure to provide
minimum support price for food grains in the immediate post
harvest season. The entire state is covered by well regulated
mandis / purchase centers where farmers bring their crops. These
have been so located that a farmer does not have to travel more
than 5-8 Kms. to market their produce. |
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| D) PURCHASE OF RICE: |
The procurement
of rice is made under the Punjab Rice Procurement (Levy ) Order,1983.
Under the provisions of this order every rice miller/dealer
has to deliver a fixed percentage of levy share at the procurement
prices and as per specifications fixed by the Govt. of India
from time to time.
Every rice miller/dealer
was required to deliver 75% of non-basmati rice manufactured
out of paddy purchased towards levy share. The Govt. of India
has, however, exempted EOU/EPZ units from delivery of that quantity
of levy rice that is exported out of the country.
Besides procurement of rice
through levy route the State Govt. Agencies viz. PUNGRAIN, PSWC,
PAIC Markfed and Punsup also deliver rice to the central pool.
The Govt. Agencies procure paddy at the minimum support price
fixed by the Govt. of India and get it milled from the rice
millers. The rice manufactured is delivered to the Central Pool. |
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| CONSUMER PROTECTION |
The Consumer Protection
Act, 1986 came into being w.e.f. 15.4.1987. In order to redress
the disputes of the consumers of the State of Punjab, the Punjab
State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and 17 Districts
Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums (one for each district of
the state) were re-notified. These bodies have started functioning
satisfactorily. The Consumer Protection (Punjab) Rules, 1987
based on the model rules were also notified in 1987.
In view of the peculiar nature of the scheme, no physical targets
can be fixed for the disposal of the cases/appeals, as any scrutiny
in this regard would infringe the quasi-judicial freedom of
the forum. However all the complaints received by the state/district
level shall be disposed off by the Commission and Forums within
the specified time under this Act. |
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| Consumer Protection Council: |
The Punjab State Consumer
Protection Council has been constituted on 18.7.1991 for three
years to safe guard the rights of the consumers as enshrined
in the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. In the State there are
68 voluntary Consumer Protection Organizations working for the
welfare of the consumers. These voluntary organizations have
an important role to strengthen and to spread the consumer movement
in the rural areas. These associations are given financial assistance
by the govt. of India for showing better performance in the
consumer protection activities out of the "Consumer Welfare
Fund". To encourage the consumers for their outstanding
work in the field of consumer protection, a scheme of National
Award for giving prizes was commenced in June 1994 by the Govt.
of India. |
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| STRUCTURE FOR THE CONSUMER PROTECTION COUNCIL
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PRESIDENT
State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
SC.O. No. 3009-10,
Sector - 22D,
Chandigarh
Telephone:
0172-2702962
Fax
: 0172-2707062 |
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| Addresses & Telephone Numbers of the President
of District Forums: |
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| District |
Address |
Phone |
| Amritsar |
SCO 10, First Floor, District Shopping
Center, Ranjit Avenue, Bank of India Building, Amritsar |
0183-2504499 |
| Bhatinda |
Near New Bus Stand, Bhatinda |
0164-2215855 |
| Faridkot |
Judicial Court Complex, Faridkot |
01639-2535552 |
| Fatehgarh sahib |
District Court Complex, Fatehgarh Sahib |
01763-232101 |
| Ferozepur |
Shahid Bhagat Singh, Stadium, indoor
Games Complec, Near Railway Bridge, Ferozepur City |
01632-243303 |
| Gurdaspur |
District Court Complex, Gurdaspur |
01874-234971 |
| Hoshiarpur |
Mini Secretariat, 3rd Floor, Hoshiarpur |
01882-221522 |
| Jalandhar |
Room No. 217-220, IInd Floor, Administrative
Complex, Jalandhar |
0181-2222360 |
| Ludhiana |
Guru Teg Bahadur Market, Near Ghanta
Ghar, Ludhiana |
0161-2747108 |
| Kapurthala |
Building No. B 17-23, Ist Floor, Fateh
Bazaar, Opp. Old Hospital, Amritsar road, Kapurthala |
01822-231886 |
| Mansa |
Sardar Sita Singh Building, Opp. New
District Court Complex, Mansa |
01652-228649 |
| Moga |
Room No. B 209-214, 2nd Floor, Beas Block,
New Administrative Complex, Moga |
0163-235400 |
| Muktsar |
District Court Complex, Kotkapura Road,
Mukatsar |
01633-260129 |
| Nawanshehar |
Chhokran Mohalla, Nawanshehar |
01823-222681 |
| Patiala |
Old CMO Office Building having No. 9-A,
Baradari, Opposite Nihal Bagh, Patiala |
0175-2305407 |
| Ropar |
Roo No. 4, Ist Floor, Court Complex,
Mini Secretariat, Ropar |
01881-220295 |
| Sangrur |
Ist Floor, Old Treasury Office, Opp.
District Courts, Sangrur |
01672-231432 |
|
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| ACHIEVEMENTS |
| Major Achievements |
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1. During Rabi 2006-07,
the State Government and its agencies procured 69.50 Lac M.T.
wheat out of a total of 81.19 Lac M.T. procured through 1604
well regulated mandis.
2. During Kharif 2006-07,
the State Government and its agencies procured 105.62 Lac M.T.
paddy out of a total of 124.70 Lac M.T. procured till 24-11-2007
through 1523 well regulated mandis
3. For the distribution
purpose the Department has a network of 13417 fair price shops
(8873 in Rural areas & 4544 in Urban areas).
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| CONTACT INFORMATION |
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Principal Secretary to
Govt. of Punjab
Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.
Room No. 222/2
Mini Secretariat, Punjab
Sector 9 Chandigarh
Phone: 0172 - 2741035 (O)
Resi. Address:
189/16
Chandigarh
0172 - 2548581
email:
psfs@punjabmail.gov.in
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|
Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer
Affairs, Punjab
Jeevandeep Building
Sector 17, Chandigarh
Phone: 2702012 (O) FAX:
2701967
Resi. Address:
189/16
Chandigarh
0172- 2541818 (R)
0172 - 2546096 (R)
email:
dfs@punjabmail.gov.in
|
|
Managing Director
Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation
Punsup Building
Sector - 34 A, Chandigarh
Phone: 0172 - 2600705 (O)
FAX: 2603208
0172 - 2234096 (R) |
