By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Chairperson and members of State Food Commission (SFC) would be appointed by the Jammu and Kashmir government on recommendations of a three-member committee headed by Chief Secretary, the draft Jammu and Kashmir Food Security Rules-2021 reveal.
According to the Rules, a copy of which is possession of The Precious Kashmir, the chairperson, members, member-secretary of the State Food Commission would be appointed by the government on the recommendation of a committee comprising chief secretary, administrative secretary department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and administrative secretary department of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs.
“The search committee shall forward to the government the suitable names for appointment of chairperson and other members , prepared by it together with a concise statement showing the requisite qualification, eligibility criteria and other relevant material, in order of merit and suitability,” read the Rules.
According to the Rules, the chairperson and members will hold the office for a term of three years. “A person who held the office of the chairperson or other member shall be eligible for re-appointment but a re-appointed chairperson or other member shall hold the office for a period not exceeding one year from the date of his re-appointment,” the Rules state.
The State Commission has been empowered to hear the appeals against the orders passed by district grievances redressal officers.
It has also powers to inspect or cause to be inspected the non-compliance of decisions of the government relating to the National Food Security Act.
The Commission will also organize camps in coordination with the government for creating awareness about benefits and entitlements under the National Food Security Act and define measures for redressal of grievances.
It is pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir Food Security Rules -2021, framed under the National Food Security Act, 2013, have been put in public domain by the department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs for seeking suggestions from stakeholders.