Una, July 30: A district-level review meeting regarding the Public Distribution System (PDS) was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Una, Ishant Jaswal. The meeting involved a detailed review of the distribution of food items to consumers in Una district, the transparency of the system, and departmental inspections.
ADC Ishant Jaswal stated that essential food grains are being provided to eligible families in the district through the Public Distribution System in a regular and transparent manner. He instructed officials to ensure that every eligible consumer receives the prescribed quantity of food grains on time and that the transparency and quality of the system are consistently maintained.
He informed that 145,944 ration card holders are benefiting through 326 Fair Price Shops in the district. These include 304,998 consumers in the APL category, 72,095 in the BPL category, 37,449 under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, and 126,533 under the Priority Households category.
He stated that during the period from January to June 2026, the following quantities were distributed in the district: 43,282 quintals of wheat flour, 29,480 quintals of rice, 13,025 quintals of sugar, 1,720 quintals of salt, 5,322 quintals of Chana dal (split Bengal gram), 2,331 quintals of Malka dal (red lentil), 3,585 quintals of Urad dal (black gram), 662,598 liters of mustard oil, and 22,810 liters of refined oil.
He further informed that the Food and Supplies Department conducted 1,533 inspections during the period from January to June 2026. A sum of ?369,404 was deposited into the government treasury through actions taken under various departmental orders. He stated that 34 inspections were conducted under the Himachal Pradesh Trade Articles Order, 1981; action was taken in one case where irregularities were found, and a fine of ?4,424 was imposed. Regarding the use of polythene, action was taken against 182 shopkeepers and traders, resulting in the collection of ?4,500 in fines.
Under the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act, 44 inspections were carried out; action was taken in 9 cases, and fines totaling ?28,000 were imposed. Additionally, 21 brick kilns were inspected under the Himachal Pradesh Bricks (Control) Order, 1970, and action taken in two cases resulted in fines amounting to ?21,597. Under the Essential Commodities Distribution Regulation, 715 inspections were conducted, and a fine of ?8,000 was imposed following action in one case.
Shri Jaswal directed officials to accord top priority to the public interest and to continue regular inspections and constant monitoring to make the Public Distribution System more effective, transparent, and consumer-friendly.
Zila Parishad Chairperson Pawan Kumar, District Controller (Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs) Rajiv Sharma, District Audit Officer Rajesh Kumar, and other officials were present on the occasion.