State panel set to review foodgrain contingency fund across panchayats

Ranchi: Jharkhand state food commission on Monday announced to begin review of the status of foodgrain contingency fund (Akashmik Khadya Kosh) at panchayat levels as well as public distribution system (PDS) related schemes across different districts from July 4.
The move comes following the Mukhiya Samvad and public hearings held last year. Officials said that they are eyeing to wrap up review of all 24 districts by August 15.Under the National Food Security Act, all panchayats are mandated to have a foodgrain contingency fund of Rs 10,000 which will be available with mukhiyas to provide foodgrains to the beneficiary in exigency. However, officials in the commission are not sure whether all the 4,000 plus panchayats in the state have so far created it or not.
The review will begin from Jamtara district which will be attended by local block development officers (BDOs) and other stakeholders, it said. The meetings will also focus on ensuring that eligible beneficiaries, particularly those not covered under the National Food Security Act 2013, receive timely assistance.
Chairman of the commission, Himanshu Shekhar Choudhary said, “The commission emphasises the crucial role of panchayats and wards in implementing the scheme effectively. We will gather information on fund availability at the local level during district visits, with BDOs tasked to encourage panchayat heads to uphold the programme's objectives diligently.”