By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Jun: In view of the possible challenges during the upcoming monsoon season such as heavy rainfall, landslides and disruption of road connectivity, the state government has completed extensive preparations to ensure smooth foodgrain supply. To prevent inconvenience to the residents in the hills and the remote areas during the rainy season, the government has decided to provide ration for July, August and September in advance.
Distribution of three months’ ration will begin from 1 July. Acting on state government directives, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has already transported adequate foodgrain to government warehouses located in distant and sensitive regions of the hill districts. Officials stated that landslides and road blockages are common during monsoon, often cutting off several areas from main routes. To avoid food shortages in such situations, advance storage has been ensured.
The officials have also claimed that the warehouses in the hill districts have already been stocked with ration sufficient for three months. This arrangement will allow uninterrupted supply under the public distribution system even if transport services are affected or roads remain closed during the rains.
Special priority has been accorded to districts along the Char Dham Yatra route. It is felt that that with the pilgrimage season coinciding with monsoon, extra vigilance is required. Accordingly, all major warehouses on the Char Dham route have been fully stocked within the stipulated timeframe. The food department has instructed the district supply officers (DSOs) in every district to monitor distribution regularly and take immediate action in case of any shortage or disruption.
In addition, directions have also been issued to maintain additional buffer stock to tackle possible emergencies. Additional Commissioner Food, PS Pangti shared with the media that the preparations for foodgrain supply had begun several weeks ago keeping the monsoon in mind. He said ration for July, August and September has already been delivered to designated warehouses and necessary instructions have been issued to officials to ensure timely distribution. He also reminded that roads often get blocked for extended periods during monsoon, hampering supply of essential commodities. Advance storage of foodgrain will provide relief to residents and help maintain continuity of the public distribution system.
Pangti further stated that from 1 July, ration dealers will begin distribution of three months’ foodgrain. The department aims to complete delivery of all three months’ ration to eligible consumers within July itself, so that people do not face difficulties during the peak rainy period.
Assured foodgrain availability during monsoon is considered to be an important aspect of disaster management. For this, coordination has been established between the Food Department, district administration and local supply mechanisms to finalise preparations. The government expects that this arrangement will provide relief to thousands of families in mountainous and remote areas and ensure uninterrupted food supply throughout the monsoon season.
