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Hans India
a day ago
- Business
- Hans India
Expedite lifting of rice, KV urges Centre
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Monday urged Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi to expedite the lifting of rice from the State by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Singh Deo, along with several BJP MPs from Odisha, met the Union minister in New Delhi and discussed the rice procurement target set for Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25 and lifting of rice by FCI. Odisha has procured a record quantity of 92,64,235 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy during KMS 2024-25, which is equivalent to 62,62,086 MT of rice, and is the highest ever procurement in the State's history. After the State's consumption, including during both Kharif and Rabi, there will be a surplus of 12 lakh MT of rice, which needs to be lifted by FCI. Additionally, the slow pace of surplus rice lifting by FCI is hampering overall procurement operations.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Number of pending consumer cases has risen by 12,021 in 2025 so far: Data
New Delhi: The number of consumer complaints pending in commissions and district fora across the country at the start of 2025 has risen by 12,021 in the first seven months of the current year, the Rajya Sabha was informed. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution B. L. Verma said in a written reply that as many as 76,318 consumer complaints were filed in courts across the country this year till July 22. During this period, as many as 64,297 consumer cases, including those which were filed in previous years, were disposed of in consumer courts, the minister said. Thus, the number of fresh complaints filed this year is higher by 12,021 than the number of matters disposed by consumer fora till July 22, 2025. The MoS, in response to questions by MPs Kavita Patidar and Manan Kumar Mishra on pending cases in consumer commissions, said the number of matters filed from 2022 till July 22 this year is 5.99 lakh. The Minister said that as many as 5.91 lakh consumer complaints have been disposed of by consumer courts from 2022 till July 22 this year. The matters disposed of also included backlog from previous years. In 2024, as many as 1,73,160 consumer complaints were filed, while 1,58,290 cases, including backlog from previous years, were disposed of, as shown in data shared by the Minister. The number of consumer cases filed in 2022 and 2023 was 1,75,676 and 1,74,278, respectively. The number of cases disposed of during 2022 and 2023 was 1,82,870 and 1,85,777, respectively. MoS Verma informed the Rajya Sabha that 685 district consumer courts are functional across the country, in addition to 10 benches of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and 35 benches of State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (SCDRC). A maximum of 79 district consumer fora are operating in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 48 in Madhya Pradesh, the MoS said. He said that to serve the interest of speedy justice to the end consumers, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 states that no adjournment shall ordinarily be granted by the consumer commissions unless sufficient cause is shown and the reasons for the grant of adjournment have been recorded in writing by the Commission. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, says that every complaint shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made to decide the complaint within a period of three months from the date of receipt of notice by opposite party where the complaint does not require analysis or testing of commodities and within five months if it requires analysis or testing of commodities.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Parliamentary panel flags low consumer case resolution rate under e-daakhil platform; seeks urgent steps
A Parliamentary panel on Tuesday asked the government to take urgent and concrete steps to improve the consumer case resolution rate and reduce pendency under the e-daakhil platform . In an action taken report placed in Parliament, the Parliament Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Chairperson Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said the upgrade to the enhanced e-Jagriti system promises better tools for case management and monitoring. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category "However, the committee remains concerned about the persistently low resolution rate of 23 per cent of the registered cases on the platform," the report said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The government has not provided substantive information on steps being taken to address the backlog or accelerate case resolution, it said. The committee appreciated the government's e-daakhil platform, which primarily serves as a convenient and accessible online portal for consumers to file complaints, reducing the need for physical visits and easing the initial filing process. Live Events However, the government has not addressed the committee's key recommendation for the establishment of a dedicated monitoring cell to track performance metrics, ensure adherence to timelines, and proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks in the grievance redressal process. The committee emphasised that digitisation alone, while beneficial for ease of filing complaints, must be complemented by robust monitoring and administrative measures to ensure timely justice for consumers. "The committee, therefore, reiterates its original recommendation for a dedicated monitoring mechanism and urge the department to take urgent and concrete steps to improve the case resolution rate and reduce pendency," it added. The committee acknowledged the government's explanation regarding the delays in the installation of video conferencing facilities under the CONFONET initiative and the consequent underutilisation of funds due to payment release conditions under GeM. "However, the committee finds the reply to be inadequate and lacking in concrete measures to address the core issues raised," the report said, adding that the failure to meet the target of installing VC facilities at 45 locations by the stipulated deadline, with only six installations completed, highlights significant project management and implementation deficiencies. The committee once again reiterated their earlier recommendation and urged the government to move beyond general assurances and come up with a detailed action plan with clear timelines for completion of pending installations along with establishment of PMUs. On Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), the committee acknowledged the government's detailed explanation regarding the dynamic nature of PSF operations and the challenges posed by market fluctuations . While appreciating the operational nuances highlighted, the committee observed that the response does not fully address the critical issue of ensuring stable and sufficient budgetary allocations to the PSF. Reliance on sale proceeds and transfers from other schemes, as pointed out, can indeed lead to delays and unpredictability in responding to market exigencies, it said. "The committee reiterates the importance of conducting a thorough and data-driven need assessment for the PSF, factoring in population size, price volatility, and the effectiveness of current stabilisation mechanisms," the report said. Such an assessment is essential to enable the government to make informed decisions on annual budget allocations , thereby reducing dependency on ad hoc funding arrangements, it added. The committee, therefore, urged the department to take proactive steps towards instituting a predictable and robust financial framework for the PSF, ensuring timely interventions in the market that protect both producers and consumers from undue price shocks.
Deccan Herald
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Wastage of FCI food grains came down to 0.2%: Joshi
Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi said: 'Wastage of food grains in storage and transportation by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been brought down to 0.2% which was 1% earlier. Modern technology including portals and apps came in handy to achieve this.'After inspecting the Food Corporation of India (FCI) food storage depot and divisional office near Unkal in Hubballi on Friday, he told reporters that surveillance and supervision to check the wastage of food grains during storage and transportation is being effectively done through 'Depot Darpan', and 'Anna Chakra' with 1.74 lakh tonnes of storage capacity are being constructed on FCI lands with public-private-partnership (PPP), including a 13,000 tonne godown at Bammapur in Hubballi, he the year 2024-25, 13,553 metric tonnes of food grains were issued from the godown here, while 6.08 lakh MT rice and 29,423 MT wheat stocks were issued for the beneficiaries of different schemes in neighbouring officials informed that the state government is purchasing 2.42 lakh tonnes of rice every month from the FCI under 'Anna Bhagya' scheme since February 2025, while 7,811 tonnes of rice have been provided to the state government for midday meal scheme in schools. Food grains are also being procured in the state, through the central government-backed minimum support price scheme for rice, ragi, jowar etc. Procurement can be increased if the process starts earlier, they visit'Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar went to New Delhi to meet AICC leader Rahul Gandhi regarding CM's post and for their survival. Meeting Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was just for their show, and in fact, they were there to meet Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi not giving appointment shows how adamant the fake Gandhi family is, and what is the eligibility of Siddaramaiah,' Joshi know what the internal agreement (regarding power sharing) is in Congress, and how severe is the infighting there. Either Siddaramaiah or Shivakumar is telling lie. Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge should give clarity, he said. Karnataka has become a heaven for terrorists, and they feel those in power here are their friends and well-wishers, Joshi also said state BJP president would be elected through election process which the party always follows, while the leadership is observing the statements of all the leaders.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Steps being taken to ensure proper distribution of quality foodgrains through FCI, says Joshi
Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi has said that fake BPL cards will be identified and cancelled, while steps are being taken to ensure proper distribution of quality foodgrains to eligible card holders. Speaking to presspersons after visiting the warehouse of Food Corporation of India (FCI) at Unkal in Hubballi on Friday, Mr. Joshi said that the FCI is working continuously to ensure that beneficiaries receive foodgrains as per National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013. The Union Minister said that technology is being used and remedial measures are being taken to minimise wastage during storage. 'Instructions have been issued on proper storage of foodgrains. Also, GPS has been installed in trucks carrying foodgrains to track their movement and ascertain whether they reach the right destination,' he said. He said that 13,553 tonnes of foodgrains have been released during 2024-25 from the FCI warehouse at Unkal. The Hubballi Division Office caters to the needs of Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Bagalkot and Haveri districts. Mr. Joshi said that during the current fiscal year, 24,85,799 tonnes of rice have been released under NSFA scheme. 'To control the prices of rice and wheat, the Union government has sold 4,60,959 tonnes of rice and 1,05,065 tonnes of wheat in the open market. This apart, under the PM Poshan scheme, 1,06,895 tonnes of foodgrains have been released for providing mid-day meal to schoolchildren. From February 2025, the State government has been purchasing 2,42,000 tonnes of rice per month from FCI for the Anna Bhagya scheme. For the mid-day meal scheme of Classes IX and X students, 7,811 tonnes of rice are being sold to the State government under the open market scheme,' he said. He said that under the Central government-supported MSP scheme, procurement of paddy, ragi and jowar is being done in the State. 'In Karnataka, 33,4 lakh tonnes of paddy are being produced out of which 510 tonnes have been procured during the current fiscal. As much as 9.44 lakh tonnes of ragi and 7.72 lakh tonnes of jowar are being produced in the State out of which 3.45 lakh tonnes and 1.93 lakh tonnes have been procured, respectively. If the procurement process is started early, then the procurement quantity can been increased,' he said. Senior officials of FCI, including Jacintha L., B.O. Maheshwarappa, Devinder Singh, and others were present.
