ITANAGAR, Jun 26: Emphasising the need for greater public awareness, improved transparency and a stronger Public Distribution System (PDS), Arunachal Pradesh Food & Civil Supplies Minister Gabriel D Wangsu chaired the department’s Annual Chintan Baithak-cum-Review Meeting at Pare Hall of the DK Convention Centre here on Friday.
The meeting was attended by Food & Civil Supplies Secretary Kanto Danggen, Director Tayek Pado and District Food & Civil Supplies Officers (DFCSOs) from across the state.
During the day-long review, officers presented reports on departmental performance, district-level achievements, operational challenges and future action plans. Key issues discussed included lifting and distribution of foodgrains, beneficiary inclusion and exclusion under the PDS, POL and LPG distribution, Smart PDS, Supply Chain Management, e-KYC implementation, FPS automation, Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS), vigilance committees and consumer protection measures.
Administrative matters such as staff shortages, vacancies, promotions, amendments to Recruitment Rules, creation of new posts, budget estimates, ongoing projects, asset monetisation, land allotment, Price Stabilisation Fund, PFMS/SNA-SPARSH implementation, procurement of vehicles and disposal of old vehicles were also reviewed.
Addressing the gathering, Wangsu said the Food & Civil Supplies Department remains one of the most visible government departments as its services directly impact the daily lives of citizens. He commended departmental officers for their dedication in ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential commodities across the state despite numerous challenges.
The minister also appreciated officials for efficiently managing foodgrain storage facilities and encouraged them to study successful models adopted in other states and implement suitable best practices in Arunachal Pradesh.
Highlighting the importance of public participation, Wangsu said increased public awareness would help improve transparency and ensure effective delivery of welfare schemes. He also urged officers to expedite official work and avoid keeping files pending.
Taking note of manpower shortages, the minister directed officials to prepare a fresh proposal seeking additional staff, including computer operators, to strengthen the department’s workforce. Responding to concerns regarding promotions, he assured officers that their career progression would receive due attention and reaffirmed his support for departmental personnel.
The meeting also provided a platform for district officers to raise field-level issues, which were discussed extensively and addressed through interactive deliberations.
In his remarks, Secretary Kanto Danggen stressed the importance of documenting and sharing successful initiatives from different districts so that best practices can be replicated across the state. He also urged DFCSOs to work closely with district administrations to ensure efficient implementation of government schemes and prompt resolution of public grievances.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen coordination, improve administrative efficiency and enhance the delivery of food and civil supplies services across Arunachal Pradesh.