Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad sets 15-day deadline for process completion

Mysuru: Expressing disappointment over the tardy progress of e-KYC (Know Your Customer) updates for ration card holders in Mysuru Revenue Division, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Rizwan Arshad directed officials to complete the e-KYC process for all ration card holders within a fortnight and ensure that no ration cards are cancelled for now.

The Minister was speaking after presiding over a progress review meeting of his Department for Mysuru Revenue Division at the Abdul Nazir Sab auditorium on the Zilla Panchayat Office premises here this morning.

The Mysuru Revenue Division comprises eight districts: Mysuru, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan, Chikkamagalur, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

“Officials should ensure that e-KYC updates for all ration card holders are completed within 15 days. It is reported that a huge number of ration card holders are still awaiting e-KYC updates and this is alarming.

“They should bring down this number to nil within a fortnight, failing which they must face action. At the same time, it is important to ensure that no cards are cancelled. Report any glitches to the Government, following which policy changes can be done,” Arshad said.

GPS on ration transport vehicles

Asking officials to ensure that all ration transport vehicles are mandatorily fitted with GPS, the Minister warned that transport bills for vehicles without GPS would be withheld.

“Officials should discharge their assigned duties responsibly and leave no scope for lapses or criticism. They should also keep pace with the Government in implementing schemes, plans and programmes. The progress of e-KYC should be reported regularly to higher authorities so that the Government can keep track of the progress,” he said.

Stressing the need to prevent pilferage of ration articles, he directed department officials to conduct surprise checks and raids to prevent theft and other irregularities in the transportation and distribution of ration supplies.

Asserting that no lapses or lethargy on the part of staff would be tolerated, Arshad said Mysuru was his native district and that he would keep a close watch on the distribution of ration in the district.

Department Secretary M. Kanaga Valli, Commissioner B.R. Poornima, Mysuru Division Director Kumuda, Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (KFCSCL) Managing Director Manjunath, Mysuru District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority Chairman Arun Kumar and other officials were present.