Shimla: Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap directed officials and depot holders to ensure that only quality food items reach the public and children through the Public Distribution System (PDS). He said proper storage of food grains must be ensured so that items do not get spoiled.
Chairing the meeting of the District Level Public Distribution System Committee in Shimla district on Monday, the Deputy Commissioner said that while the department supplies food items regularly, negligence in storage can lead to spoilage. Depot holders, Anganwadi workers and Mid-Day Meal staff were asked to immediately inform the department if any food item is found spoiled so that timely action can be taken.
He said ration is being provided to people through fair price shops under various schemes and food items are also supplied to children at Anganwadi centres. The department has been directed to ensure proper storage at fair price shops so that people receive quality ration. Strict action will be taken if complaints are received regarding the sale of spoiled food items. He also stressed maintaining uninterrupted supply of food items to avoid inconvenience to the public.
The meeting was informed that 627 fair price shops are operating in the district, including 348 cooperative societies, 234 individuals, two women’s associations, two gram panchayats and 41 Food Supply Corporation shops. From December 2025 to February 2026, the department supplied 5,525 quintals of sugar, 32,456 quintals of rice, 57,648 quintals of wheat flour, 8,251 quintals of pulses, 2,260 quintals of iodized salt and 5,12,038 litres of edible oil to consumers.
During the same period, 1,362 inspections were conducted and irregularities were found in five shops, leading to fines of ₹5,910. A fine of ₹9,000 was also imposed on hotels and dhabas for using domestic LPG cylinders. For not renewing authorisation of 11 fair price shops, ₹44,000 was deposited as security in the government treasury, while ₹4,50,625 was deposited after rejection of bills from wholesale warehouses. Out of 58 food grain samples, only one sample was found unsatisfactory.
The committee also approved a proposal to open 12 new fair price shops in different areas of the district, while proposals for additional shops will be re-advertised.
Later, a review meeting of the District Level Vigilance Committee was held to discuss implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013. The district aims to cover 84,636 families under the Act, including 72,147 rural and 12,849 urban families. So far, 66,230 families have been selected, while 18,406 families remain to be included.
Under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, eligible ration card holders receive 15 kg rice and 18 kg wheat flour per card free of cost. Primary households are provided 2 kg rice and 2 kg wheat flour per person free of charge. BPL families are given additional wheat and rice at subsidised rates so that each family receives at least 35 kg of food grains. Consumers under the APL category are provided 14 kg wheat flour at ₹12 per kg and 6 kg rice at ₹13 per kg per card.
District Controller, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Narendra Dhiman presented the details during the meeting.
