The Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) Department in Arunachal Pradesh is prioritizing improved public service delivery, strengthening the public distribution system, and addressing manpower shortages. This was the focus of the department’s annual review meeting, held on Friday at the DK Convention Hall in Itanagar. Food & Civil Supplies Minister Gabriel D Wangsu chaired the meeting, acknowledging the department’s significant role in directly affecting citizens’ daily lives.
He appreciated the dedication and commitment of the officers, recognizing their efforts in ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. The minister commended the efficient management of foodgrain storage facilities despite various challenges and encouraged the officers to study successful models adopted by other states. He emphasized the importance of greater public awareness in improving transparency and effective delivery of welfare schemes, urging officers to avoid stagnating files.
Wangsu also addressed the shortage of manpower in the department, directing officials to prepare a fresh proposal for requisition of additional staff, including computer operators. He assured officers that their career progression would receive due attention and reaffirmed his support for the departmental officers. The minister expressed hope that whatever was discussed in the session would be implemented with the resolve to strengthen coordination, improve administrative efficiency, and further enhance the delivery of food and civil supplies services across the state.
Food & Civil Supplies Secretary Kanto Danggen stressed the need to document and share successful initiatives adopted by different districts, allowing best practices to be replicated across the state. He urged all District Food & Civil Supplies Officers (DFCSOs) to work closely with district administrations to ensure efficient implementation of government schemes and timely resolution of public issues. The meeting reviewed key areas, including lifting and distribution of foodgrains, inclusion and exclusion of beneficiaries under the PDS, POL and LPG distribution, smart PDS, supply chain management, e-KYC implementation, FPS automation, vehicle location tracking system, vigilance committees, and consumer protection matters.
Administrative issues such as staff shortage, vacancies, promotion-related matters, recruitment rule amendments, creation of new posts, budget estimates, ongoing projects, inventory and monetisation of departmental assets, land allotment, price stabilisation fund, PFMS/SNA-SPARSH implementation, procurement of new vehicles, and auction of old vehicles were also discussed in detail. Director Tayek Pado and district food & civil supplies officers from across the state attended the meeting.
