DISTRICT CIVIL SUPPLIES

CONSUMER AFFIARS, FOOD & CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT

• Introduction:

The Civil Supplies Department was originally only a regulatory Department. Subsequently, its activities have been diversified to include procurement of food grains under Minimum Support Price (MSP), Aadhaar based distribution of essential commodities viz. Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Kerosene through Fair Price Shops under the Public Distribution System at subsidized rates through issue of cards, consumer affairs, monitoring of prices of essential commodities, distribution of LPG connections to BPL women (Deepam Scheme) etc.

• Functions of Civil Supplies Department :

Formulates Policies for procurement of paddy, coarse grains and pulses at MSP by agencies like FCI., Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation, Markfed, IKP groups etc. Decentralised procurement and Aadhaar based distribution of essential commodities through Public Distribution System, as per the guidelines under NFS Act 2013.

• NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY ACT, 2013:

Implements NFS Act, 2013 through State Commission, District Grievance Redressal Officer and Nodal Officers etc and monitors conduct of vigilance committee meetings etc.,Evolves policy for issue of ration cards, allotment of Deepam connections to the eligible familiesOverses all matters connected with the allotment, lifting, movement and supply of essential commodities by the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd. from MLS Points to F.P shops.Monitoring of prices of essential commodities and Market Intervention Operations for controlling the open market prices, if  need arises.

• CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 2019:

Implements Consumer Protection Act through State Commission and District Consumer Fora and other Consumer welfare Schemes.Arranges Consumer awareness through Consumer Clubs, Consumer Voluntary Organisations, Seminars, workshops and World and National Consumer Rights Days every year.Processes the recommendations of the Selection Committee for the Members of the State Commission and President and Members of the Dist. Fora and issues Govt. orders.

• ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955:

Executes the enforcement activity under various Control Orders issued under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 for checking against hoarding, black marketing, diversions etc. of essential commodities like food grains, pulses, edible oils, Petroleum Products viz. Kerosene, Diesel, LPG, Petrol etc. and action under Section 6 A of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.As convener arranges the meetings of the Price Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and the Group of Ministers periodically .Takes measures to ensure that the Departments concerned with various essential commodities take action to undertake Market Intervention purchases wherever necessary to make them available to the consumers at affordable prices in the open market.